Kerry TD Danny Healy Rae has refused to answer questions about alleged crowded scenes inside his pub which appear to breach Covid-19 rules.
A video circulating online shows topless customers dancing on tables and on each other’s shoulders with no social distancing or mask wearing.
There is also a photograph of the Kerry TD without a mask posing with a group of people in the bar.
Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall has said Danny Healy-Rae needs to come clean about the alleged crowded pub scenes.
The Rural Independent TD owns his late father Jackie Healy-Rae’s bar in Kilgarvan, Co Kerry.
When asked about the alleged Covid-19 breaches at his pub, the Kerry TD said he won’t be commenting on the matter.
He told the Irish Mirror: “I’m making no comment about that.
“What couldn’t be clearer is that I’m making no comment and you’re no different to anyone else.”
However, the Kerry TD did extend an invite to visit his pub and said “you’re welcome anytime.”
The video appeared on Maura Healy-Rae’s Snapchat - Danny’s daughter who is also a local councillor.
The video was recorded and sent into Radio Kerry’s current affairs programme ‘Kerry Today’ and was shared on their Twitter page.
Maura Healy-Rae was also contacted for comment.
In the video, Danny Healy-Rae is seen briefly dancing outside of the pub with a woman.
There are also people seated outside the pub but the Snapchat video also appears to show topless men swinging their t-shirts over their heads while dancing on chairs and tables inside and access to the bar.
Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall told the Irish Mirror: “As well as being a TD, Mr Healy Rae is a publican and has an obligation to operate his business in accordance with the same rules as everybody else.
“He needs to confirm whether that footage came from his pub or not and, if it did, what he intends to do about it.
“It should be recalled that serious breaches of the restrictions can result in closure orders for businesses.”
The Vintners' Federation of Ireland (VFI) - the body that represents pubs outside of Dublin said while it is unable to comment on individual pubs, refusing to implement Covid rules could “have huge consequences not just for an individual pub found transgressing but for the entire trade.”
A spokesman said the VFI recognises the “extremely high level of compliance” with pubs across the country.
He added: “It’s important to remember the further easing of restrictions will occur only if pubs are seen to be following the current guidelines.”
“The guidelines are clear that only vaccinated or recently recovered people are permitted to be served indoors while customers must at all times be seated unless using the bathroom.”
Speaking last month about the Government’s proposal to use vaccine passes to facilitate the reopening of indoor dining, Danny Healy Rae said he would not ask his staff to check customer’s vaccination status.
He said people who choose not to get the vaccine “shouldn’t be denied a couple of pints”.
When asked by the Irish Mirror if he will ask his staff to check drinkers vaccination status, he said “certainly not.”
