20 pubs caught breaching Covid-19 guidelines in one week

20 BARS across Ireland were caught in breach of the new coronavirus guidelines last week.

From Monday 13 July to Sunday 19 July, Gardaí found 20 licensed premises breaching the guidelines while undertaking checks on businesses as part of Operation Navigation.

The 20 new breaches make up part of the 59 breaches which have been observed by Gardaí since checks began on 3 July.

The most common breaches include licensed premises serving alcohol to customers without also serving them food, and customers and the businesses being unable to produce receipts proving the customer had eaten.

Any premises which is found to have breaches of the regulations and is not complying with public health rules will have a file made up and sent to the Director for Public Prosecutions, where the owner of the business could face court.

Speaking on the new breaches which were identified, Deputy Garda Commissioner for Policing and Security, John Twomey, said:

"An Garda Síochána continue to carry out intensive visits of licensed premises which have opened for business in accordance with Covid-19 Public Health Regulations.

"An Garda Síochána continues to see high level of compliance. This is welcome. An Garda Síochána will continue to enforce the Public Health Guidelines, which have now been extended until the 10th August 2020.

"The COVID-19 Pandemic remains a real and present public health crisis and An Garda Síochána continues to appeal to all citizens, businesses and organisations to comply with Public Health Guidelines and Regulations in order to continue to save lives.”