AN Garda Síochána in the
North West have issued the first closure order on a
licensed premises under the Criminal Justice
(Enforcement Powers Covid-19) Act 2020.
Gardaí continue to work with licensed premises, carrying
out Inspections to ensure compliance with public health
guidelines and regulations. Thousands of inspections of
licensed premised were carried out from Friday 18th to
Sunday 20th December and the vast majority continue to
be compliant.
However, last weekend Gardaí in the North West Region
issued the first ‘Immediate Closure Order’ to a licensed
premises. Despite repeated engagement by local Gardaí
with the licensee, Gardaí continued to observe breaches
of Covid-19 regulations including persistent
non-compliance with requirement to serve a substantial
meal, in addition to non-adherence to public health
guidelines, resulting in the local superintendent
issuing an ‘Immediate Closure Order’ on the premises for
the remainder of that date. A further file will be
prepared for consideration by the Director of Public
Prosecutions.
Over the last 48 hours An Garda Síochána has continued
to detect breaches of Covid-19 regulations by licensed
premises in the North West region...
• Hotel premises inspected at 9.20pm - Roughly 100
persons in the function room. No social distancing, no
food served, groups gathered on tables numbering 12 or
more, a number of persons intoxicated in the room.
Lounge down stairs had around 50 persons drinking and
reception area similar, while outside car loads began to
arrive but turned back.
• Licensed premises checked at 8.30pm - Little evidence
of food being consumed, approximately 80 people on the
premises drinking alcohol. No times on contact tracing
register, no order book, nine individual invoices with
an average of three meals on each, dates on these had
been changed. Kitchen inspected - no food being cooked.
The Covid-19 pandemic remains a public health crisis and
a real threat to everyone, particularly the most
vulnerable in our society. The virus is still spreading
and it is still leading to serious illness and death.
An Garda Síochána continues to appeal to everyone in
Inishowen to comply with public health guidelines and
regulations in order to continue to save lives. |
