A pub in the northwest of Ireland has been told it must shut its doors immediately after a Garda raid found "repeated" breaches of public health advice.
Officers discovered a full 11 licensed premises in breach of Covid-19 regulations this weekend alone, amid spiralling case numbers across the country.
And one bar was issued an immediate closure order after failing to observe the guidelines despite "repeated engagement by local Gardai with the licensee."
Many pubs – including the boozer served the closure order – were found not to be serving food when inspected by officers, with others failing to adhere to social distancing guidelines and one premises operating as an illegal shebeen.
Gardai are urging the public to comply with public health guidelines after "disappointingly" making the discoveries over a hectic festive weekend.
Deputy Commissioner of Policing and Security John Twomey said: "The vast majority of licensed premises are operating in compliance with public health regulations.
"Unfortunately, despite this being said by An Garda Síochána numerous times before, disappointingly it appears it must be said again to some licensed premises – Licensed premises that are not adhering to public health regulations are not only committing an offence, but putting at risk the health of their staff, their customers, and their local community."
In the last 48 hours, gardai found one premises – located in the Dublin region – with nearly 200 customers inside and no food being served.
Another Dublin pub, inspected at 1.30am, was discovered with fresh pints pulled and no social distancing being observed.
In the southern region, four pubs were found to be breaching public health advice at the weekend – including one where patrons were "observed in a huddle talking with arms around each other" as maskless staff looked on.
Up north, two premises were found in breach of the rules, with one hotel found to be accommodating around 100 patrons in its function room with no food served and more people drinking in a lounge room downstairs.
And in the east of the country, three breaches were found, with one shebeen found with 30 people inside.
