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The Gardaí will be granted new powers that will allow them to call homes and order house parties to be broken.
They will also be given the power to prevent people from entering house parties or indoor gatherings that are prohibited by the government’s Covid-19 restrictions.
Gardaí will not be legally allowed to enter a home, but may impose fines on the occupant of a home where an illegal party is taking place.
The cabinet is debating the new fine system this morning in order to give An Garda Siochana new powers to police restrictions.
New legislation to be released later today will criminalize organizing or running a home party or indoor event that violates public health standards.
Once enacted, the gardaí will have the legal authority to call a house or other interior place and ask those present to disperse.
If those present refuse to comply with a request from the garda to leave the meeting, those who live in the house will automatically be fined.
According to the new law, the occupant will be presumed to be the organizer, unless proven otherwise, and a fixed charge notice will be issued to them.
The exact amount of the fine is still being considered.
Gardaí will also have the power to impose fines on those suspected of attempting to attend a house party.
If gardaí suspect that someone is on their way to a house party or is near a house party that is about to start, they may direct them to leave the area peacefully.
If the individual refuses to leave, gardaí can impose an automatic fine.
The new fines were developed by Justice Minister Helen McEntee and Health Minister Stephen Donnelly.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has previously said that the force does not need more powers to enforce government regulations, as he would prefer to police by consent.
Online editors
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