Gardai conducted 6,830 checks on licensed premises throughout the country under Operation Navigation to support public health guidelines over the weekend.
Gardaí found 2,785 individual licensed premises currently open for business.
The vast majority of licensed premises operating were found to be in compliance with regulations and licensing laws – 2,759.
But in a small number of cases – 26 individual licensed premises – Gardaí found potential breaches of the health regulations or licensing laws even after providing the premises with the opportunity to rectify the situation.
Gardai say files will now be prepared for the DPP in each of these cases.
In many of these cases, Gardaí found customers consuming alcohol, but no evidence of food also being consumed and no evidence of receipts to show that food had been sold.
Gardaí also observed a lack of adherence to public health advice such as allowing large groups at the one table, little to no social distancing, no advisory signage, and no COVID-19 contact tracing being recorded.
Deputy Commissioner, Policing and Security, John Twomey said: “The significant number of visits conducted by Gardaí found a large level of compliance among licensed premises. This is very welcome.
“However, we remain concerned that a minority are potentially operating in breach of the regulations.
“In doing so, they are putting the health of their customers and staff and everyone they come into contact with after at risk of getting COVID-19.
“We are sending a clear message to such premises that we will be opposing their liquor license renewal applications in September unless they come into compliance.
“In addition, the public has shown great restraint and responsibility to date in adhering to the public health guidelines. The reality is that COVID-19 is still here.
“We all have an individual responsibility to ensure we continue to play our part in reducing the spread of COVID-19 to protect our family, friends and neighbours.”
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