Irish police shut down illegal shebeen bar with pool table, 70in flat screen and five kegs of beer despite harsh Covid restrictions
- Gardai raided the illegal boozer near Athy in Co Kildare on Friday night
- They found the fully operational shebeen with bar, kegs and spirits on offer
- Ireland has imposed its second national lockdown in effort to stop case rises
Irish police have shut down a fully operational unlicensed bar during a raid in Co Kildare.
Gardai found a pool table, bar, a 70in flat screen television, tables and chairs in the shebeen.
The illegal boozer near Athy was targeted by officers on Friday evening on suspicion of breaching public health regulations.
Irish police have shut down a fully operational unlicensed bar during a raid in Co Kildare on Friday night
Officers launched an investigation after they became aware, through social media, of the premises and that members of the public were congregating against Covid-19 regulations.
Gardai searched the suspected shebeen premises at around 8pm and found a fully operational bar in a repurposed state.
The premises was fitted with a bar, stools, tables, chairs, 70in flat screen television, and a full size pool table, gardai said.
There were several beer taps on the bar, along with an under bar cooler and kegs. There was also a smoking area, store room and toilet on the premises.
Gardai found a pool table, bar, a 70in flat screen television, tables and chairs in the shebeen
The illegal boozer near Athy was targeted by officers on Friday evening on suspicion of breaching public health regulations
During the course of this search, gardai seized five kegs of beer, a significant amount of spirits and bottled beers, and various bar equipment including the taps, gas and coolers.
A full investigation is now under way into this matter and files will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Gardai appealed to anyone with information about the operation of illegal shebeens to contact their local garda station.
There were several beer taps on the bar, along with an under bar cooler and kegs. There was also a smoking area, store room and toilet on the premises
A spokesman for An Garda Siochana said: ‘The Covid-19 Pandemic remains a public health crisis and An Garda Siochana continues to appeal to all citizens to comply with Public Health Guidelines and Regulations in order to continue to save lives.’
Ireland has entered its second lockdown, provisionally for six weeks, with harsh new restrictions imposed.
People can only go within three miles of their home and can only go outside for exercise or essential shopping trips.