Publican under fire for saying staff in his bars should be Irish

The Immigrant Council of Ireland has hit out at comments by publican Charlie Chawke that front-of-house staff in his bars should be Irish.

Mr Chawke, who owns nine pubs, said that front-of-house staff at his premises “have to be Irish” to show that the “céad míle fáilte is still alive and well”.

“I believe it is essential to have Irish staff behind the bar or on the floor because they have the blás and the personality to get on with customers,” he said. “Irish staff know what is going on in Croke Park or in the rugby or what is happening around the country.”