A COUNTY Limerick pub which made headlines yesterday for opening despite Government health advice was closed after just a few hours in business.
Publican Gearóid Whelan vowed to open his west Limerick bar on 20 July despite the Government pushing back the reopening of 'wet pubs'-- pubs which do not sell food-- for a further three weeks.
This, he said, is because of the lax measures implemented at airports, where tourists are allowed to 'freely roam' the country while publican's livelihoods remain at risk, and the fact that his area of Limerick has had few cases of the virus.
We are back👍🏼 pic.twitter.com/sOmfGcBKxE
— Gearoid Whelan (@whelansbar1) July 20, 2020
Mr Whelan opened his bar yesterday morning at 11am with strict social distancing measures in play, telling The Irish Post "we just want a level playing field to show that we can do this the right way".
"Give us the chance to show we can do it right, that's all we're asking for."
The bar followed the same rules as restaurants, cafés and gastropubs: anyone entering must provide a name and phone number, undergo a temperature check and use the hand sanitiser; customers must stay seated, with table service in operation, and the beer garden has been partitioned to allow for social distancing.
The bar welcomed its first customers in four months yesterday morning, but after just two hours back in business local Gardaí entered the premises and advised Mr Whelan to close, giving him half an hour to empty the bar of customers.
Mr Whelan acted on the advice of the Gardaí, and while he admitted he did not agree with having to close, accepted it would be better 'in the long run' that he does not remain open.
He told The Irish Independent that he was "disappointed, gutted, but all I wanted to show was that we can do this.
"Everyone that was here this morning saw we can offer a Covid-safe, socially distanced, enjoyable atmosphere for a couple of pints without your €9 pizza that's going to keep you free from Covid."
Disappointed customers shouted "They're circling, they're circling!" as a Garda van approached the premises.
