Government defends lockdown

The Government has defended its decision to move Ireland to Level 5 restrictions following an anti-lockdown protest outside An Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s Cork office.

Between 20 and 30 individuals with signs took part in the demonstration which began on Evergreen Road and eventually finished on Douglas Street on Monday afternoon.

A Government spokesperson said: “The decision to move Ireland to Level 5 of the Framework of Restrictive Measures is based on current public health advice, the deteriorating situation with the disease across the country and the Government’s objectives to support families by keeping schools and childcare facilities open, maintaining non-Covid health services and protecting the vulnerable.

“We want to reduce the number of people contracting the virus and limit its spread. Everybody, working collectively, has the power to do that. We want to get the number of cases down to very low levels by the end of November – and that is the challenge facing us all.”

Gardaí stated that they did attend the scene and that it concluded without incident and with no arrests made. However, they have confirmed that investigations focused on the organisers of this protest is underway.

The garda spokesperson underlined that An Garda Síochána encourages organisations and individuals organising such events to liaise with An Garda Síochána in advance to assist in the safe and peacefully organisation of the event.

They added: “Where possible An Garda Síochána will advise identified organisers of such events as to their responsibilities and potential consequences.”

Gardaí said that the Covid-19 pandemic remains a public health crisis and they are continuing to appeal to all citizens to comply with public health guidelines and regulations, in particular essential journeys, in order to continue to save lives.