Four people arrested for public order offences in Dublin as Tony Holohan slams “open air party”

Gardaí from the public order and Dog Unit dispersed crowds in South William Street, Temple Bar, and St Stephen's Green.

A policing operation was put in place by Gardaí following reports of a large number of persons congregating at South William Street and adjoining streets in the Dublin 2 area on the evening of Saturday, 29 May.

The operation involved Gardaí from the Public Order Unit and the Dog Unit and the crowd was subsequently dispersed. Four persons were arrested for public order offences. Persons congregating in Temple Bar and St Stephen's Green were also dispersed by Gardaí. No arrests were made. "As public health regulations continue to be reduced and activity begins to normalise An Garda Síochána continues to remind the public of the ongoing public health guidelines, which include not to gather in large groups, maintain social distancing and wearing of face coverings in crowded public spaces, a Gardaí spokesperson told JOE.

"An Garda Síochána continues to appeal to the public to avoid crowded areas and large gatherings.

"The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A (6A)) (COVID-19) (NO.2) Regulations 2021 (SI 217/2021) are currently in force. In supporting the COVID-19 public health guidelines and regulations, An Garda Síochána has and will continue to adopt, a graduated policing response based on its tradition of policing by consent. This has seen Gardaí engage, educate, encourage and, only as a last resort, enforce. "The Covid-19 Pandemic remains a public health crisis and An Garda Síochána continues to appeal to all citizens to demonstrate personal and social responsibility to comply with Public Health Guidelines and Regulations, in order to continue to save lives." It comes as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Tony Holohan has said he is "absolutely shocked" after what he described as a "major open air party" occurred in Dublin City Centre. Dr Holohan said he saw "enormous crowds" while driving past the centre to collect someone from work at approximately 8:15 pm on Saturday evening. The CMO added that the scenes are "what we do not need when we have made so much progress". Taking to Twitter on Saturday night the CMO wrote: "Drove into Dublin City Centre to collect someone from work at 815 PM. Absolutely shocked at scenes in South Great George’s St, Exchequer St, South William St area. "Enormous crowds- like a major open air party. This is what we do not need when we have made so much progress."