Government backs down over outside drinking fines

The Taoiseach Micheál Martin has previously said takeaway pints might be a thing of the past. Picture: Dan Linehan

A proposal to introduce fines for people caught drinking outside has been withdrawn by the Cabinet today, amid internal opposition.

Fine Gael and Green ministers were said to be “vehemently opposed” to the kneejerk response to weekend scenes of crowds drinking in Dublin, even though Gardaí found no breach of Covid social distancing rules.