Eight people were arrested in Dublin on Wednesday morning after a beauty salon opened its doors for the second day in a row, despite Level 5 restrictions, and a demonstration took place.
Gardaí said the arrests in Balbriggan were a result of breaches of the Health Act, 1947, which has been amended amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
A Garda spokesperson declined to say if the reopening of the salon was related to the demonstration.
According to reports, the owner of C and N Beauty Rooms in Balbriggan reopened the salon at 11am this morning, despite being ordered to close yesterday by gardaí.
Gardaí arrived at around 11.30am and arrested a client who was on the premises. After a brief discussion inside the premises, the owner was also arrested and taken into Garda custody.
A Garda spokesperson confirmed to BreakingNews.ie that officers had arrested a woman, aged in her 40s, and a man, aged in his 50s, in Balbriggan on Wednesday morning for breaches of the amended Health Act, 1947.
In a subsequent statement, a Garda spokesperson said the arrested woman had been charged and was due to appear before Swords District Court later this afternoon.
Demonstration arrests
The man was later confirmed to have been arrested in relation to a demonstration held in Balbriggan.
“The other person arrested, a man aged in his 50s, has been charged in relation to this incident. He is due to appear before the Swords District court later this afternoon,” the Garda spokesperson said.
Six further people were arrested in relation the demonstration that was held in Balbriggan on Wednesday morning, the spokesperson added.
The arrests of these three men and three women were dealt with by way of a fixed penalty notice, they said.
In a statement, the spokesperson said: “An Garda Síochána has no role in permitting or authorising protest marches or gatherings, there is no permit/authorisation required for such events. A decision as to whether any protest takes place rests solely with organisers.
“An Garda Síochána encourages organisations/individuals organising such events to liaise with An Garda Síochána in advance to assist in the safe and peacefully organisation of the event. Where possible An Garda Síochána will advise identified organisers of such events as to their responsibilities and potential consequences.
“In respect of regulations, which are declared to be penal regulations under the Health Act 1947 as amended, An Garda Síochána continue to adopt the approach of the Four Es which see gardaí engage, explain, encourage, and as a last resort, enforce.”
'Taking a stand'
On Tuesday, the salon in Balbriggan had been taking clients for just over an hour when it was ordered to close by gardaí.
On Tuesday, owner Christine McTiernan told Newstalk: “I am taking a stand on my behalf. This is for me. I have to do what I have to do to pay my bills and that is what is important to me.”
Ms McTiernan added: “I have to put food on the table. I have to pay my rent. All my bills have to be paid.
“What is happening does not stop my bills from coming so I have to pay them. So yes, it is purely for survival I am doing this.”
