Irish police busted an illegal pub equipped with a repurposed bar, a 70-inch television, a toilet, and a smoking area for residents who were reportedly skirting coronavirus restrictions to gather and drink.
The police found the “shebeen,” an establishment that sells liquor without a license, after they were alerted to residents congregating in the space while failing to adhere to social distancing policies mandated by the Irish government.
The bar was outfitted with several beers on tap, and kegs were also found on the premises when local law enforcement searched the property on Saturday evening.
Business owners in the country have struggled to keep afloat following especially strict coronavirus measures taken by Ireland’s government. Some have criticized new restrictions rolled out just before the lucrative pre-Christmas season.
Gardaí searched a suspected Shebeen premises in Kildare last night.
A fully operational bar was located. Bar equipment seized. Investigation underway.
We continue to appeal to all citizens to comply with Public Health Guidelines & Regulations to save lives. #InThisTogether pic.twitter.com/3iTUKyu1i5
— Garda Info (@gardainfo) October 24, 2020
“It’s a nightmare for us in our sector,” Kelly Moran, the boss of Kildare House Hotel told the Leinster Leader. “We spend all our time adapting to new restrictions and trying to run a business and keep staff in jobs.”
On Oct. 5, the National Public Health Emergency Team of Ireland called for Level 5 restrictions to be placed on residents of the country, and the nation’s government adopted the lockdown measures on Thursday.
More than 50,000 people in Ireland have contracted the disease, and close to 2,000 have died since its outbreak in March.
