'Lives should come before livelihood' - Businesses react to Level 5 restrictions

Many business owners sanguine as Christmas Eve sees the return of Level 5 restrictions, but hospitality industry organisations warn of job losses from "financial body blow"

"It makes total sense to close now" - Denis Cotter, owner of Cafe Paradiso on Lancaster Quay in Cork City. Picture Dan Linehan

As Ireland prepares for another lockdown coming into the New Year, businesses across the country have been reacting to the news that they will, once again, be asked to close their doors.

Owner of Cafe Paradiso, Denis Cotter, says the new lockdown was expected and people need to be focused on safety, as numbers continue to rise.