A pub was found open and serving a number of customers during a massive inspection operation carried out by gardai last night amid the coronavirus crisis.
The search in west Cork was conducted to ensure that pubs were following a Government request for licensed premises to close voluntarily by the end of Sunday, March 15.
Members of the force found one pub was open in the area on Thursday night, March 19, with customers present in the bar.
And in one pub found to be open during inspections last night around the country, gardai found customers hiding in a storeroom to avoid detection.
A Garda representative told Cork Beo: "An Garda Síochána has carried out and continues to visit licensed premises, and if observed open to remind businesses of their social responsibility to implement the guidelines issued by the Government and HSE in order to minimise the impact of COVID-19 on our community as a whole."
Although gardai can't enforce closures by law, it is understood that any pubs found to be in breach of the Government's request will be remembered ahead of licensing applications later this year.
Gardai have also reminded people of the following advice from the Government and the HSE:
• Indoor mass gatherings of 100 people or more and outdoor mass gatherings of more than 500 people should be cancelled
• People should reduce their social interactions
• Keep a distance of 2m between you and other people
• Do not shake hands or make close contact where possible
