Groups representing Gardaí say new powers to crack down on pubs are confusing

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Groups representing Gardaí say new powers to crack down on pubs are confusing the public and officers themselves.

Legislation is being published later to allow Gardaí close down establishments which don't follow the Covid-19 guidelines. If the Dáil passes it, Gardaí will be allowed close down a pub or restaurant for breaches of public health rules.

A pub may have to place a sign outside or face a €2,500 fine, while those which reopen early could be jailed for a year.

The Association of Garda Sargeants and Inspectors, Antoinette Cunningham, says officers aren't clear on what they've to do:

"Winter is coming. It's going to drive people from outdoor dining indoors. The 2 metre rule can be reduced to one metre indoors under certain circumstances ... that's not for Gardaí to be policing that".

The government's also considering allowing gigs to go ahead, but only if alcohol isn't served.

This all comes as the head of the HSE says communicating with young people need to be redoubled, after videos of large crowds in Killarney with little sign of social distancing. The videos showed people drinking and singing, while some climbed on bins and phone boxes.