Stick or twist?

On Tuesday morning of last week Michael Mooney had a decision to make, not an informed decision, essentially a high stakes coin toss. His deadline to place an order for the Slieve Rossa with drink giants Diageo is 1pm on Tuesday to stock up for the week ahead. Bars were due to open the following Monday (August 10) under phase four – but the cabinet only convened to decide the matter on Tuesday evening. Mickey had to decide whether to order stock not knowing if they would open. Stick or twist? Decision was made: Pubs doors remain bolted. Mercifully Mickey stuck. Pubs are stuck.

“It’s not good enough. We can all have opinions on the decision itself, but what we’re asking for is more clarity. If it’s going to be two months, or three months or three weeks, just let us know or give us a ball park figure, because this is not good for anyone.”

He says that, speaking to other publicans, it’s taking its toll on people’s mental health.

Michael says that they deserve “a bit of respect” he wants to have the chance to “showcase” how they can run their pubs responsibly and police guidelines.

“They are licenced premises, we know what we have to do. We are well aware that, when people get drink in them, social distance can sometimes go out the window, but it is our duty as publicans to ensure that that doesn’t happen.”

He brings it back to the uncertainty emanating from the authorities.

“We mightn’t like the answers we are going to get, but we will accept them. And if that is the case, the government have to come up with a package, because it’s not as if we’re refusing to work, it’s because of public health, we can’t,” he says, adding that there’s “big” costs in keeping a pub closed.

For the FA Cup final last weekend, Mickey opened his doors to under 50 people with dinners supplied from his neighbours the Bridge, and might consider repeating it for another big event such as the Champions League final.

“I did everything right,” he insists. Mickey notified the gardaí in advance, he had a signing-in book, no one was permitted at the bar counter, social distancing was adhered to and everyone there was “impeccably behaved”. Yet he was still reported to the authorities.

The conversation turns to speculation about the government’s next move.

“Probably short term, for the next few months, I don’t expect to open - the cases are going up. Hopefully, with the tracing app, they can get on top of things and we can bring it down again. It’s not looking good. Micheál Martin couldn’t guarantee that we’ll open this year, is an indication that definitely won’t open in the next couple of months – hopefully I’m wrong, but if that’s the case all we’re asking for is, come out and say it, let us know where we stand.”