Revealed: How freedom from Covid rules led to a spending splurge 

Pubs registered a 53% spending boost compared to the previous weekend — when the 8pm curfew was in place — while restaurants tapped up an increase of 13%

Bank of Ireland said total social spending by all age groups captured on its credit and debit cards climbed 26% from the previous weekend

Young people were at the forefront of a celebratory spending spree in the days immediately after Covid-19 restrictions ended on the hospitality sector, new figures have confirmed. 

Bank of Ireland has provided credit and debit card data to the Irish Examinerwhich reveals that total social spending by all age groups climbed 26% last weekend when public health curbs were lifted.