A prominent Irish publican has slammed the Government after news that wet pubs could be closed until March leaked.
It emerged on Monday that bars which don't serve food, which have only been allowed open for two weeks in the last nine months, could be closed until St Patrick's Day.
It comes as another blow to the industry, with Michael O'Donovan hitting out at Government after pub owners found out the devastating news in the papers.
The Cork City Chairperson of Vintners Federation of Ireland told the Irish Mirror: "Again, we see this coming out as leaks and not through official channels.
"It's very disappointing for our industry. Public health must come first and we've said that since day one, but many business won't survive this.
"I've heard from two publicans here in Cork just this week who won't be reopening.
"For those, that's the centre of their community gone.
"Tourists come to Ireland for the traditional Irish pub and many won't be here now. The pandemic has been no friend to the Irish pub."
Meanwhile, new restrictions which will see all bars and restaurants limited to take-away and deliveries will come into force after Christmas instead of January 6.
And this is something that publicans were not warned of, despite having a meeting with Government just days ago.
Mr O'Donovan, who also owns the iconic Castle Inn pub in Cork City, said: "Our (VFI) CEO had a meeting with Tanaiste Leo Varadkar last week and there wasn't even a mention of the new restrictions coming in before January.
"We want the Government to talk to us and engage with us. It's so frightening for our members to be reading about this stuff in the papers before they've been told.
"It would be better to hear bad news in an official meeting, but I guess that shows the regard they have for us."
