Gardai launch investigation after keg stolen from outside Limerick pub

Gardai have launched a probe after a keg of beer was stolen from outside a pub in Limerick.

The incident happened last Friday - three days before pubs reopened for indoor dining on Monday.

While the licensed premises was preparing for that reopening, a passerby noticed a number of full kegs - and duly stole one from the area on Broad Street.

Gardai say the incident happened between 7.30am and 1pm on July 23.

A short statement from the force said: "Gardaí are investigating an incident of theft that occurred at a licensed premises in Limerick on Friday, 23^rd July 2021."

If anyone has any information on the incident, Gardai urge people to make contact with Henry St. Garda Station on 061 212400.

Garda John Finnerty, from the station, told the Limerick Leader: "A full keg of beer is not light, so the thief went to a bit of trouble to carry out this affair.

"It would be obvious to any pedestrians who were passing this pub last Friday what was going on."

Members of the public enjoy a pint indoors in the Long Hall pub South Great George's Street (Collins Photos)

Some pubs reopened on Monday for the first time in nearly two years.

Where online pre-booking is in place, every business must ensure that:

• All customers are aware that they must provide the relevant proof on arrival
• that all those 18 or over are fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 and they provide photo ID - under 18s who are accompanied by a parent/guardian in an indoor setting, currently do not require Proof of Immunity
• If any of their group arrive without their verification of Proof of Immunity, they will be refused entry to indoor facilities

There will be a supervised entrance point with a socially distant queue system in place controlled by staff who have been trained in the new process.

Customers won't be able to access any indoor services without legitimate proof of immunity that verifies eligibility for entry to the seating area.

According to Failte Ireland, this process of entry will include:

• Presentation to the responsible person at the controlled entrance of each customer’s Proof of Immunity made under the Health (Amendment)(No.2) Act 2021; this will include EU Digital Covid Certificate and HSE Covid-19 Vaccination Record).
• Scanning and confirming validity of the vaccination or recovered status of each customer using the EU Digital Covid Certificate Checker or other validation of Proof of Immunity prescribed in regulations.
• Cross-check the name on the documentation with Photo ID -Acceptable forms of ID are Driving Licence, Passport or other photo ID.