‘Even Vatican’ ignores Good Friday drink ban, say restaurateurs

Restaurateurs have asked why the industry should lose out out on a €15m Easter bonanza when “even the Vatican City doesn’t obey this ridiculous” ban on alcohol sales.

The Restaurant Association of Ireland (RAI) condemned the annual ban on alcohol, saying that the law is unacceptable at such a busy time for the tourism, restaurant, and hospitality industry.

RAI chief executive Adrian Cummins said the “archaic” law presented a 19th- century view of Ireland that is so far out of touch it is not even observed by the Vatican City.