Watchdog questions new garda powers to issue house party fines

Speaking following the announcement of further powers for gardaí to break up house parties, the Irish Council of Civil Liberties said: If we're getting down into criminalising people's behaviour around so-called house parties, we still face some of the same constitutional and other problems we've had up to now." Picture: Larry Cummins

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has expressed concern at the introduction of new garda powers to issue fines to house party organisers and attendees.

Yesterday, it was announced that spot fines of up to €500 are to be introduced for people found to be in breach of general Covid-19 guidelines.