Gardaí does not need additional resources to cope with house parties, says justice minister

GARDAÍ DOES NOT NEED additional resources to deal with house parties, said Justice Minister Helen McEntee.

McEntee said he spoke with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris about the issue last night.

“I asked the commissioner the question last night: Do you need more powers? The very clear answer was no. “

He also rejected suggestions that the army should be deployed to help police rallies on the streets and in homes.

Gardaí, he said, did not stretch and was able to effectively stop the meetings and explain what the current Covid-19 rules are.

Photos and videos shared earlier this week showed a large number of people near the Spanish Arch in Galway, with groups also showing on Store Street. The meetings come after thousands of students return to the university.

The images have raised the concern of the local council and NUI Galway.

McEntee said the meetings were not “acceptable” but said: “I don’t think anyone has come out to break the rules and break the law.”

Health officials have repeatedly warned young people to reduce their social contacts and not to hold parties at home.

In response to the scenes in Galway, the NUI Galway Student Union and other university student unions said they would call on students to follow public safety guidelines.