A defiant Dublin publican has hit back at rumours gastropubs will remain closed when Ireland emerges from lockdown, saying he will take the matter to the courts.
The Government is finalising plans to exit Level 5 of lockdown restrictions with an announcement expected by tomorrow evening.
Tanaiste Leo Varadakar said yesterday retail, gyms, hairdressing and personal services will be the first to reopen under the plan.
Wet pubs are likely to remain closed and there have been reports that bars serving food may also be forced to keep their doors shut.
Owner of The Bridge and Lemon & Duke hit back at this suggestion, saying the Government would need a court order to keep him from reopening.
The vice chair of the Licensed Vintners Association tweeted: "There was talk on RTE by Micheal Lehane about 'possibly keeping Gastro pubs closed too'.
"Both my places have restaurant licences. They would need a court order to keep me from opening."
Fresh hope was offered to gastropubs this morning, as reports emerged that they will be allowed to serve customers as long as they have a kitchen and chef on the premises.
Earlier this week Dublin Live reported that bars that do not serve food have been deemed too dangerous to reopen, with one source saying: “Sadly, not a hope for wet pubs.”
There was optimism however that restaurants and bars that serve food would be allowed to open their doors if the number of daily Covid-19 cases drops below 300.
Last night, the number of new infections confirmed across the country stood at 226.
The National Public Health Emergency Team is set to meet today to give its last recommendations to Government before the end of the month.
Cabinet is then due to meet for a second time later this week to consider NPHET's recommendations.
A final announcement will be made by Taoiseach Micheal Martin where he will explain our new restrictions in an address to the nation on either today or tomorrow.
You can follow all the latest updates throughout the day in our live blog.
