‘There Shouldn’t Be Any Large Gatherings’

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From top: Rally against rona restrictions at Custom House Quay, Dublin 1 last month; Minister for Justice Helen McEntee

This morning.

Radio One’s Today with Claire Byrne.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee spoke to Claire Byrne about the new powers given to gardai.

She said the Criminal Justice Enforcement Power bill will ensure gardaí have the powers they need to “act swiftly” to deal with pubs who have breached Covid-19 regulations.

But, the host asked. what about protests?

Not all protests (this being RTÉ).

Specifically ‘anti-mask’ protests.

Claire Byrne: “How do you police those protests now because people are allowed to protest, as they always have been. But if you are protesting, in a large gathering now, with no face coverings. What is the Garda role in those situations?”

Helen McEntee: “Well, I think, I mean it is very difficult and obviously, the gardai, this isn’t the first instance where we have had large protests or where we have people gathering and whether or not wearing face coverings. Now the face coverings, it’s obviously very clear that it’s mandatory when you’re in public transport, when you’re in shops and we’re advising people to wear them outdoors and for the vast majority of times, particularly where they’re in large gatherings, there are public order offences, that gardai can again use at their behest…”

Byrne: “If you’re outside at at an anti-mask protest, you don’t have to wear one but you shouldn’t be at a large gathering?”

McEntee: “You shouldn’t be at a large gathering, no. And I mean we’re very clear with that. There shouldn’t be any large gatherings. What we’ve introduced now though, and which is a penal provision, is where there are large gatherings of over 15 people. So that hadn’t been the case up until Friday where we introduced these new, and where the minister fined into regulations anybody organising, so it’s not the people who are attending, anybody organising an event where there are over 15 people, in an outdoor setting, can face prosecution and can be fined up to the €2,500 or face a prison term.”

Later asked if it should be made mandatory for gardai to wear facemasks at checkpoints, when they lean into people’s cars, Ms McEntee said:

“This is an operational matter and I suppose this is something that the Garda Commissioner and his team would advise on so it’s really not something for me to get involved in. I do think, and if you look at even, even if you see two guards in a car, you often see them wearing face coverings because they’re clearly from two different households. I think in the vast majority of cases, gardai are wearing them but again that’s very much an operational matter.”

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65 thoughts on “‘There Shouldn’t Be Any Large Gatherings’

  1. SOQ

    Bodger- that was not an anti mask rally, it was an anti MANDATE rally which was a lot more than masks. It included no mandatory vaccines which is actually the important one.

    Anyways- at this point, if large outdoor gatherings spread CoVid-19 then we should expect to see a spike in hospitalisations after that one by end of this week- if not then why not?

    1. george

      They spread it when someone at the gathering has Covid-19. If you get lucky and nobody has it then it won’t spread. We don’t know who has it until its too late though.

        1. Cian

          Number of confirmed Covid cases in hospitals increased again today to 36, the highest number since 24th June.

    2. Cian

      what is an anti MANDATE rally? is it against people dating men? or were they protesting about the Mandate union? or something else entirely?

        1. Cian

          I genuinely had no idea what you were talking about.

          I would agree there shouldn’t be mandatory Covid vaccines; but since a vaccine doesn’t yet exist, let alone legislation to make it mandatory… i think it a bit preemptive.

          1. Brother Barnabas

            so I take it you wont be attending the ‘No to tattooing my children’s eyeballs’ march at the weekend ?

          2. SOQ

            If you were paying attention you would know the main vaccine in question is actually the up and coming flu one?

          3. Junkface

            The Flu vaccine is great craic! I get it every year, since one year I caught the flu over Christmas and it was AWFUL! Ruined everything. Its a good idea so there is not as much confusion between flu symptoms and covid 19 symptoms.

          4. bisted

            …if you think flu is good craic then you should try whooping cough…it’s a howl…all the old diseases are making a comeback…not just the measles and mumps, life changing ones like polio and diphtheria…just when you thought they’d been eradicated along came the anti-vaxxers…

          5. Junkface

            What have vaccines ever done for anybody?

            I think everyone wants to go back in time to the 19th Century. Such fun! Infant deaths and agony from Smallpox, Polio, Measles, TB! Where did all of those diseases go?
            Did they just disappear in time for us to enjoy the convenience of life in the 20th century?

            Yes! One day they all just magically went away, just like Trump said would happen to covid 19.

          6. Pat Mustard

            “What have vaccines ever done for anyone..”

            Nothing.

            Progress in sanitation and medicines (not vaccines) eradicated 90% of the common ailments of the 19th century.

          7. millie madonna

            But it’s thanks to the vaccine that we don’t have widespread consumption in this country.

            It’s thanks to the vaccine that the measles are not the threat they once were. It’s also thanks to the vaccine that polio is a thing of the past.

            Improvements in hygiene are absolutely part of the process but vaccinations are just as crucial to the eradication of those illnesses.

          8. Pat Mustard

            What vaccine.

            Polio has not been eradicated.

            Measles, its important for children to get measles. If a child doesn’t have an encounter with measles, when they are teenagers or older they are susceptible to meningitis which is deadly.

            The measles vaccine has the potential to render children vulnerable. Thankfully its very rare, but I’m doubtful that’s down to vaccines.

            Unquestionably, the most important advancement in tackling deadly diseases was social and sanitation developments, way more so than any vaccine.

          9. millie madonna

            Thanks Pat, but I think I’ll take my chances on inoculating my children against preventable illnesses like measles or mumps over the small chance of one of them contracting meningitis. Especially considering one of them has had serious immune deficiencies in the past.

            I’ll also point out that we no longer vaccinate children against consumption, so effective has the vaccine programme been in this regard. Vaccines can eradicate illnesses, and this is one of the success stories.

          10. Pat Mustard

            Herd immunity conquered that one I’m afraid. Not a vaccine.

            Hey, I’m all for choice, if you want to vaccinate your children, go right ahead. They should be fine if administered correctly. As in max, 3 in 1 shot. Some have gone to as many as 9 shots in a single vaccine. In my opinion this is far too risky to be administered in general.

          11. SOQ

            And is CoVid-19 not magically going away?

            A few stragglers granted but for the most part that is exactly what it is doing.

          12. Junkface

            SOQ

            Are you serious? Do you think those diseases magically disappeared? There’s a whiff of anti-vaxx nonsense off your posts. Diseases never disappear like that, it is always as a result of human and medical science interruption.

            When did you join Qanon exactly?

          13. Pat Mustard

            @ Junkface

            What do you know of diseases or medicine?

            Diseases do die off.

            The development of sanitation systems and antibiotics killed off most if not all deadly diseases that plagued humanity.

            Meanwhile, vaccines have caused carnage. Eg Thalidomide.

            https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thejournal.ie/irish-government-thalidomide-prime-time-investigation-1226065-Dec2013/%3famp=1

            Every vaccine producer has been involved in scandals where they knowingly released tainted vaccines, sometimes repeatedly.

            Perhaps you should educate yourself before idiotically shutting from the hip.

            And your qanon slip is sad considering you Russia gated for the past 4 years like a conspiracy loon.

          14. SOQ

            @junkface

            Every year, one or more viruses, including the flu, sweep the planet. They are for the most part seasonal which is why we call it the flu season; Then they mutate into a different strain, which is why the vaccine from last year will not work.

            There is of course no guarantee the flu vaccine this year will work either because they have varying degrees of success and are a bit hit and miss. They also can have side effects- the last one I had ten years ago certainly did- 50% of a 400 workforce out of action for two weeks.

            The company did not offer it again for another five years after that- no surprise why.

          15. SOQ

            @ millie- the big mistake people make is to lump all vaccines in together. Some are very safe and well tested while others are not.

            Take this new CoVid-19 thing for example, they simply do not have the time to test it properly and are bypassing what should be standard trails. And, it is the first of a new breed meaning that it will actually change you DNA PERMANENTLY.

            Now if you want take the risk then step right up but nobody will be forcing me to do so. That it has a 4 year indemnity clause should make people stop and think, but they won’t- fear is like that.

          16. Cian

            @SOQ:
            And, it is the first of a new breed meaning that it will actually change you DNA PERMANENTLY.

            Evidence please for this outrageous statement.

          17. SOQ

            @ Cian- it will inject mRNA into the human body to protect against infection which is in effect- changing the bodies DNA, which is very different to previous vaccines where they used sections of the actual virus to elicit an immune response.

            That this is what is being fast tracked is absolute madness- there are plenty of articles on it you can google yourself.

            https://theconversation.com/coronavirus-a-new-type-of-vaccine-using-rna-could-help-defeat-covid-19-133217

          18. Cian

            That link literally says:
            the mRNA used in vaccination cannot become part of the person’s chromosomes, they are safe to use.

          19. SOQ

            These experimental COVID-19 vaccines take three strategies for ultimately delivering a piece of genetic code—either mRNA or DNA—that tells cells to start making viral proteins. Inovio and its research partner, the Wistar Institute, are outspoken proponents of DNA vaccines, in which circular pieces of DNA are shuttled into cells.

            https://cen.acs.org/pharmaceuticals/vaccines/coronavirus-help-mRNA-DNA-vaccines/98/i14

            The science of this stuff is far from settled- there is plenty of researchers and academics objecting to it. Never before has such been brought to market and the side effects are unknown.

          20. Cian

            @SOQ:You said
            “it is the first of a new breed meaning that it will actually change you DNA PERMANENTLY.”

            I asked for evidence. You provided 2 links, the first flat out contradicted your outrageous statement, the second didn’t mention changing DNA at all. Your credibility is gone. You are trolling at this stage.

          21. SOQ

            It is too late in the evening to be ar$ed with this bullpoo.

            I’ll be back in the morning swinging my political tassels.

            And Cian will not be on overtime rates- which we all pay for.

          1. Cian

            An Taoiseach Bill Gates?

            Or the US billionaire?

            And that is a Microsoft patent for a crypto-currency… nothing to do with vaccines… So, yes, I think you are making it up.

          2. millie madonna

            You’re clearly onto something there buddy.

            Bill Gates is obviously the antichrist. PROVE ME WRONG.

        2. SOQ

          @ Cian- it will inject mRNA into the human body to protect against infection which is in effect- changing the body’s DNA which is very different to previous vaccines where they used sections of the actual virus to elicit an immune response.

          That this is what is being fast tracked is absolute madness- there are plenty of articles on it you can google yourself.

          https://theconversation.com/coronavirus-a-new-type-of-vaccine-using-rna-could-help-defeat-covid-19-133217

    3. George

      SOQ
      I actually after listening the news today and the measures now taken we will see an uproar from buisness and the public

      They have gone too far

      In my business we are being treated like criminals looking behind our backs
      No one can operate a business in this Orwellian climate but on the face mask subject I do believe people are better to wear them than not

      We are closing our doors at the end of this month and three full time workers let go untill March next year

  2. GiggidyGoo

    So The Gardai know better than health professionals then? ‘….This is an operational matter and I suppose this is something that the Garda Commissioner and his team would advise on’ That’s as regards gardai wearing/not wearing masks as they get close up to people in cars.
    So, maybe we can get the Gardai to replace NPHET?

    1. Cian

      The Gardaí don’t have to wear seat belts in the cars – but everyone else (with a few exceptions) does.

      Sometime you need to treat people in particular jobs differently.

          1. Cian

            “operational reasons”.

            I don’t know why. But they have been specifically excluded in the seat-belt legislation. I would imagine there is a good reason. Saying that – they are allowed to wear them if they want. They aren’t breaking the law if they don’t wear them.

      1. GiggidyGoo

        So it’s ok for them to snot and cough over motorists is it?
        The seatbelt thing is ‘operational’ as they may need to exit the vehicle quickly.
        Not a comparison.
        The usual divert, deflect Cian.

        1. Cian

          I didn’t say that.

          I’m not a Garda but I can think of a number of reasons off the top of my head (I’ve no idea if they are valid or a complete list so I’m not going to argue about them):
          1. masks are scary and intimidating (according to the anti-mask lot). Don’t want to scare the drivers.
          2. masks can inhibit people from understanding the speaker. If the Garda stops a person that is hard of hearing this could cause issues (and it would be illegal to to ask about people’s disabilities)
          3. they may want to get smells from the car to see if there is a possibility of drink or drugs off the driver. Not viable with a mask.
          4. Some of them might have asthma – and we all know by now that 1/16 people in Ireland have asthma and none of the can wear masks. So about 1,000 Gardaí must have asthma.

          Oh, and remember to play the ball not the man?

  3. Johnnythree

    Total nonsense. There are many more important things the Govt should be doing than worrying about a bloody march. Hot footing it off to introduce legislation to stop more than 6 people in a house? Where in the developing world has this worked or even been introduced. All kinds of stupid.
    Get the economy back running and don’t be worrying about a fricking anti mandate/ mask march.

    1. SOQ

      I think they are very worried about that particular march Johnny- both Delores Cahill and Marcus de Brun nailed it- next rally date already set for 3rd October.

        1. SOQ

          Well both Cahill and de Brun, for different reasons, are fiercely critical of the government.

          These are two people who have been blacklisted from mainstream media so the sight of either of them, let alone both of them, addressing such numbers was guaranteed to ring alarm bells.

  4. Dr.Fart

    I’m honestly yet to see any Garda wearing face masks. None of them wear them at all. “Operational matter” .. gimme a break

  5. cecil

    Minister for Justice Helen McEntee is ignoring the fact that Phil Hogan didn’t update HSE when he moved address, now this IS illegal but will go unpunished

  6. John Smith

    Draft hand-bill:

    SHOW THE STRENGTH OF PUBLIC OPINION

    Attendees are requested for a protest against the last Covid-19 restrictions, to be held at XXXXXX, on XXXXXC, at X pm.

    NB Strict social-distancing of 2 metres will apply. Attendees are asked to bring their own sanitiser. Masks are not obligatory but are recommended.

    Total attendees permitted – 15, to include speakers, marshal and first aid volunteers. Six protesters places are, therefore, available on a first-come/first-served basis. Book now to avoid disappointment. Tickets available online at xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

  7. John Smith

    This is not intended as a joke. It shows what this situation means. The only obvious way that the public can demonstrate the level of support for anything is by a public protest. Although it hits hardest, perhaps, at those who object to the current privations, it does apply ALL protesters, whatever their issue of complaint or their viewpoint, and it hits directly at the people that can be identified – the organisers, who cannot be expected to be able to continue to pay massive fines.

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