Gardaí carrying out 'preliminary inquiries' into gathering at Healy-Rae pub
The video appears to be taken inside the Jackie Healy-Rae bar, Kilgarvan
Gardaí in Kerry are carrying out "preliminary enquiries" into an indoor gathering at Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae's pub after an image emerged showing him serving pints to a crowd inside the pub ten days prior to the resumption of indoor dining.
An Garda Síochána said no complaint has been made in relation to the matter and a formal investigation has not commenced.
Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae has refused to comment on the photo, which was posted by a wedding photography agency, and showed the Deputy pouring pints and was captioned ‘Pints on Dad.'
The photo, which has since been taken down, appeared to show the wedding party of Patrick ‘Patie’ Healy-Rae and Emma O'Shea inside the Jackie Healy-Rae pub in Kilgarvan following their wedding on July 16 - ten days prior to the resumption of indoor dining for fully-vaccinated adults, or those who have recently recovered from Covid-19.
Danny Healy-Rae's brother and fellow TD Michael is among the people photographed in the packed pub.
Despite guidelines that face coverings should be worn “at all times” by staff and customers except for when seated at a table, none of those pictured appear to be wearing one.
A separate video that appears to show breaches of public health guidelines at Danny Healy-Rae's pub in Kilgarvan is also being widely circulated online.
The video, which appears to show a lack of social distancing and mask-wearing by both staff members and customers inside the Kerry TD’s pub, appears to have been shared on Danny Healy-Rae’s daughter and Kenmare Councillor Maura Healy-Rae’s Snapchat account.
The video, obtained by , show wild scenes with customers dancing topless on tables and swinging their shirts around their heads.
Deputy Healy-Rae is also seen dancing with a young woman at the entrance of the Jackie Healy-Rae pub and posing with a group of people in the bar without a face covering.
The video also shows a mask-less staff member serving drinks at the bar counter in direct contravention of Covid-19 regulations.
When asked about the wedding photo and the video that emerged from his pub showing numerous breaches of public health guidelines, Danny Healy-Rae said he will not be commenting on either matter.
Responding to the video from the Deputy's pub, chief executive of the HSE Paul Reid told "From a HSE perspective what I would always say is we're looking at some very sick people coming into our hospitals.
"We're still seeing very rising cases and a steadily increasing every day."
Mr Reid said there is a concern that people will "get distracted, get confused, get less committed and drop their guard" when it comes to following public health guidelines in the wake of such controversies.
“We are so close to completing the vaccination programme, but equally we are so close to losing it all,” he warned.
“The virus is still a very live threat to us. We are still testing significant numbers. This is a threat to everyone.”
A friend of the Healy-Rae family said last night: "Danny is best advised to say nothing while the gardaí are anywhere near this.
"It's in their hands now and he doesn't feel it's appropriate for him to say anything at this stage.
"I know he's sorry about what happened but he can't even say that right now."
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