Gardaí to be granted power to shut pubs for Covid-19 breaches

GARDAÍ are set to be granted the power to shut pubs who are not complying with Covid-19 regulations.

The Cabinet meets this afternoon and new legislation is set to be agreed.

Three new powers are to be given to An Garda Síochána.

The first enables the Gardaí to issue a compliance notice to pub owners, directing them to address the issues.

Should the notice not be followed Gardai have two options: to issue an Immediate Closure Order, which would see the pub shut down for a day; or to take court action, which would see publicans face a fine of up to €2,500 or a six-month prison sentence.

Gardai may also apply for an Emergency Closure Order, which would have the capacity to close a premises for up to 30 days.

It is expected that these powers will top the legislative agenda upon the resumption of the Dáil on Wednesday.

As things stand, Gardaí can only record a breach and warn that it may be considered when a pub’s licence is up for renewal.

Pubs are required to serve a meal costing at least €9 and limit the time customers can spend on the premises to 105 minutes.