Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan has condemned the large groups of people who gathered in parts of Dublin city centre on Saturday night, despite Covid-19 restrictions.
Gardaí have since confirmed four people were arrested for public order offences as part of a policing operation which was put in place following reports of people gathering at South William Street and surrounding areas in Dublin 2 on Saturday, according to The Irish Times.
“The operation involved gardaí from the public order unit and the dog unit and the crowd was subsequently dispersed. Four persons were arrested for public order offences,” a Garda statement said.
The release added: “Persons congregating in Temple Bar and St Stephen’s Green were also dispersed by gardaí. No arrests were made.”
Gardaí also confirmed 12 people were arrested in Cork city under similar circumstances.
Dr Holohan tweeted about the crowds in Dublin city on Saturday evening, saying: “This is what we do not need when we have made so much progress.”
Drove into Dublin City Centre to collect someone from work at 815 PM. Absolutely shocked at scenes in South Great George’s St, Exchequer St, South William St area. Enormous crowds- like a major open air party. This is what we do not need when we have made so much progress.
— Dr Tony Holohan (@CMOIreland) May 29, 2021
He said he had driven into the city to collect someone from work shortly after 8pm and was “absolutely shocked at scenes in South Great George's St, Exchequer St, South William St area”.
He added: “Enormous crowds- like a major open air party.”
A number of pubs in the area were serving takeaway pints, which Dublin City councillor Mannix Flynn believes should not be permitted.
Speaking to Newstalk, Mr Flynn said: “We are trying to come out of this pandemic, we are trying to get the economy open again, and one section of the economy, which is the hospitality and public house industry is just behaving absolutely atrociously here.
“These publicans really should wake up here. They are putting everything at risk, and for the young people of the city to be carrying on like this bears a terrible foreboding for the future.”
Let's not forget, it has been the Irish people, young and old, who have got us to be in a much better place with #COVID19. So many sacrifices have been made. There's still many risks to be protected against, but let's not loose trust in people doing the right thing. @HSELive
— Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) May 30, 2021
Current restrictions permit people from up to three households, or six people from any number of households to meet outdoors. Pubs, bars and restaurants remain closed for outdoor dining until June 7th.
HSE chief executive Paul Reid did not reference the crowds directly, but tweeted on Sunday morning: “Let's not forget, it has been the Irish people, young and old, who have got us in a much better place with #Covid19.
“So many sacrifices have been made. There's still many risks to be protected against, but let's not loose [sic] trust in people doing the right thing.”
