Cork hospitality sector hits out at closure

Restaurant, pub, and hotel owners call for more government support

Michelle and Katie McCarthy in their family-owned restaurant Jacobs on the Mall, Cork, which has just undergone a major refurbishment and is set to close again due to Covid-19 restrictions.   Picture: Dan Linehan

"I swear to God, I have no faith whatsoever in government in this country. Only for I'd embarrass my father I'd go and picket Micheál Martin's house. My father would know him well. He lives about 150 metres from where I was reared."

Those are the words of Liam Barry, who owns Goldbergs, An Bodhrán, and The Island Tavern in Cork, all three of which are having to close under new level three restrictions which come into effect at midnight.