A DUBLIN bar has issued an apology after comparing the closure of pubs across Ireland to the Holocaust.
Pubs and bars across Ireland have been closed as part of the restrictions introduced by the government back in March to stem the flow of coronavirus and are not expected to reopen until August 10 at the earliest.
In a now-deleted Facebook post, Dice Bar, located in Smithfield, north Dublin, drew a comparison between the closures and the transportation of Jews on trains bound for Auschwitz.
A message from Dice Bar's social media account read: "Some how or other we've had our pubs gigs festivals taken from us.
"We're like the Jews in the Warsaw ghetto being told to hop on the train to Auschwitz Birkenau.
"It's for your own good."
Despite the message being deleted, several followers took screenshots of the comments, leading to an online backlash that saw many threatening to boycott the bar once the lockdown restrictions are lifted.
In the wake of the online outcry, Dice Bar owner Kieran Finnerty issued a follow-up statement apologising for the comparison.
However, his apology has done little to calm the situation.
Mr Finnerty wrote: "If i’d been in the Dice Bar on Wednesday night and made those kind of outlandish connections, even with the excuse of 6 pints of Revolution and watching a double header of “The Pianist” & “Downfall” I would have got a yellow card from the committee and barred for the next 2 weeks.
"Sorry for drawing any connection between the war crimes, which were committed by the Nazis on the Jewish pop in Europe and any events here, but what occurred during the war was the direct result of 20 years of propaganda and the whittling away of people’s liberties.
"In Ireland we are over 100 days into a propaganda campaign by an unelected government that has passed emergency laws which are likely to remain in place for the next few years. The fear that is being feed to people on a daily basis will have dire consequences for people in entertainment, like musicians whose only chance to make money was live gigs or bars which were the social place to drink and meet strangers.
"Our liberties are slowly being removed and we don’t know what part of our lives we will be allowed get back under the narrative of Da Covid War, and Covid is likely to be with us for some year’s until the mythical silver bullet arrives.
"Do we have a choice in any of this or is it just follow directions and “hop on the bus, we know what’s best for you".
"When Dice Bar reopens don’t forget LEAVE YOUR SPEARS AT THE DOOR."
The post sparked yet more anger and criticism, with several followers responding with yet more anger and threats of boycotts.
One person wrote: "My husband, who is a nurse currently working on a Covid-19 ward, and I used to regularly drink at Dice Bar with our friends. We won’t be doing so again."
Another said: "What a classic non apology apology. Whoever is running your socials is doing a superb job of running you into the ground. I wouldn’t be too concerned about planning for reopening. Your ignorance is utterly astounding."
A third, meanwhile, added: "This comparison is disgusting. As someone who has worked frontline since day one I can hand on heart tell you this not propaganda it is our reality. What you are trying to do is propaganda and misdirection.
"Us staying at home with a payment is in no way related to millions stolen at force, shoved into camps, gassed to death. You’re a disgrace and I for one won’t be back in your bar."
