Gardaí call time on rogue publicans

Pubs were due to reopen from Monday of this week under phase four of the Government's Roadmap to reopen the country but, following a slight increase in new cases, this was delayed by three weeks to August 10.

Almost half a dozen rogue publicans across the county risk losing their licences after being caught blatantly flouting COVID rules.

As recently as Monday evening last, July 20, gardaí raided one such local premises where they discovered up to 50 people on site drinking, with no food being served.

Pubs were due to reopen from Monday of this week under phase four of the Government's Roadmap to reopen the country but, following a slight increase in new cases, this was delayed by three weeks to August 10. It sparked frustration among some publicans who took it upon themselves to serve customers behind closed doors.

Earlier this month, at one rural establishment in County Cavan, gardaí applying checks under 'Operation Navigation', discovered 100 people on the premises with alcoholic beverages being served. There was no sign of food being consumed, nor was there any evidence of receipts to prove that food had been sold as per regulations.

Some watering holes have been placed on their “last warning” for a range of infringements such as not implementing proper social distancing or allowing patrons to remain beyond the 105 minutes permissible. Those in breach of regulations now risk having violations raised by An Garda Síochána by way of objection when the business owners appear before the Annual Licensing Courts Court this coming October seeking licence renewals.

Despite some offenders, gardaí say the vast majority of licensed premises are complying with regulations and licensing laws.

In conducting these spot checks, An Garda Síochána seek to deal with issues by way of policing by consent. This has seen gardaí engage, educate, encourage and, as a last resort, enforce.

Up to 50 people can gather indoors and, where potential breaches of the Public Health Regulations are identified, a file is submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for a direction.

Speaking to The Anglo-Celt this week, Chief Superintendent for the Cavan-Monaghan Division, John O'Reilly acknowledged, the difficulties facing many businesses at the present time.

“Albeit painful, the vast majority of business people operating licensed premises are observing the legal requirements. Unfortunately there remains a very small number that have chosen to put people's health and well-being at risk to benefit their own self-interests.”

UPDATE: https://www.anglocelt.ie/2020/07/23/20-more-covid-breaches-of-licencing-laws/