CONOR MCGREGOR has hit out at the Irish government over its decision to keep the vast majority of Ireland’s pubs closed.
Only pubs serving “substantial meals” are currently allowed to open in Ireland, with the remainder ordered to stay shut.
The authorities had originally planned to allow all pubs in Ireland to reopen on Monday, August 10.
That date has since been pushed back indefinitely following a spike in the number of new cases of coronavirus reported across the country.
It’s a decision that has drawn criticism from across the pub industry with many bar owners fearful their businesses may fold unless allowed to reopen.
Those sentiment are evidently echoed by McGregor, who took to Twitter to question the logic behind the decision to open pubs serving food while others serving only alcohol stay shut.
He tweeted: “In Ireland, pubs that serve food and drinks can open. But pubs that just serve drinks can not.
“Food does not make us safer, responsible citizens do.”
In Ireland, pubs that serve food and drinks can open. But pubs that just serve drinks can not.
Food does not make us safer, responsible citizens do. @MichealMartinTD— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) August 15, 2020
McGregor’s remarks drew a mixed reaction from fans online.
“Basically you just want a drink?” one asked.
“Dude the world has much more important problems get over it,” another said.
A third, meanwhile, attempted to explain the logic behind the move:
“Drink will cause people to not be too careful though you should know more than anyone how a few pints leads to a few bags and trouble.”
Plenty did agree with the Irishman, of course.
"Fair play for highlighting this," one wrote.
"It’s a load of bollox, Conor. It’s not like spending €9 worth of food in a pub will prevent the virus. Or being in the pub for a minute after 1hr 45 will cause the spread. The rules are ridiculous."
McGregor’s criticism will have also been much welcomed by those in the pub industry.
Many industry leaders are already fearing mass closures of pubs across Ireland unless things change or the government steps in to provide some financial support to these ailing businesses.
