Gardaí find 24 breaches of health regulations in licenced premises

AN Garda Síochána found potential breaches of the health regulations and/or licencing laws on 24 occasions nationally over the week July 27 to August 3, which included the bank holiday weekend.

The majority of cases continue to refer to no evidence of food being served or consumed and no evidence of receipts to show that food had been sold.

Since the commencement of Operation Navigation on July 3, gardaí conducting visits to licenced premises have found the vast majority to be acting in compliance with licensing laws and public health regulations, with only a total of 105 found to be in breach.

The cumulative total for last week up to July 26 increased to 81, which is a weekly total of 24 new instances of premises found to be in breach up to August 3.

Files will now be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions in each of these cases.

Deputy Commissioner, Policing and Security, John Twomey, said: “We are continuing to see high levels of compliance by licenced premises to the public health regulations and this was especially evident across the bank holiday weekend. However, there are still a minority of licenced premises that are failing to adhere to the regulations.

“An Garda Síochána is asking that licensed premises and their customers continue to play their part in reducing the spread of COVID-19 and protect the community.”

The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A-Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No.3) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 are currently in effect until August 10, which set out certain penal provisions. Social distancing and other similar public health guidelines are not penal provisions.

In addition, under liquor licensing laws, a licensed premises requires a declaration of suitability from a member of An Garda Síochána in order for its liquor license to be renewed.