Gardai found five main issues in pubs that were breaking new rules at the weekend.
26 boozers around the country breached Government guidelines, with gardai confirming the majority of premises checked were compliant.
Gardai found the following issues in the pubs that were breaching regulations;
- Customers consuming alcohol, but no evidence of food also being consumed and no evidence of receipts to show that food had been sold
- Pubs allowing large groups at the one table
- Little to no social distancing
- No advisory signage, and
- No COVID-19 contact tracing being recorded.
Deputy Commissioner, Policing and Security, John Twomey said: "The significant number of visits conducted by Gardaí found a large level of compliance among licensed premises. This is very welcome.
"However, we remain concerned that a minority are potentially operating in breach of the regulations. In doing so, they are putting the health of their customers and staff and everyone they come into contact with after at risk of getting COVID-19.
"We are sending a clear message to such premises that we will be opposing their liquor license renewal applications in September unless they come into compliance.
"In addition, the public has shown great restraint and responsibility to date in adhering to the public health guidelines. The reality is that COVID-19 is still here. We all have an individual responsibility to ensure we continue to play our part in reducing the spread of COVID-19 to protect our family, friends and neighbours.”
