Michael Healy-Rae says Killarney street party argument for reopening all pubs

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Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae has said that the Killarney street party makes an argument for the Government to reopen all pubs.

The weekend incident has been the talk of the nation and has led to some divided opinions after footage of the event circulated online.

Mr Healy-Rae, however, is of the opinion that if all pubs were open then alcohol could be consumed in moderation and these incidents would not happen.

© Provided by Extra.ie Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae has said that the Killarney street party makes an argument for the Government to reopen all pubs.. Pic: Gareth Chaney Collins

For the time-being, only pubs that serve a substantial meal — one costing at least €9 — are open while pubs that do not, known as ‘wet pubs’, remain closed.

Speaking on RTE Radio 1’s Morning Ireland, the independent TD insisted that what happened in Killarney would not have occurred if all pubs were allowed open.

© Provided by Extra.ie The independent TD insisted that what happened in Killarney would not have occurred if all pubs were allowed open. Pic: Maxwell Photography/PA Wire

‘Killarney is an extremely well policed and managed town, we do not have instances like this on any type of occurrence, that is not a regular type of occurrence,’ he said.

‘The Gardai are ever present on our streets, but that night we had a number of very unfortunate incidents, a young man lost his life in Killarney, the Gardai were still at that scene, they were there within minutes and had dispersed that crowd.’

Mr Healy-Rae added: ‘If our public houses are open, people will get alcohol in a measured and principled way, by responsible people who go before our courts every 12 months and who run what I call respectable public houses.’

© Provided by Extra.ie ‘If our public houses are open, people will get alcohol in a measured and principled way, by responsible people who go before our courts every 12 months and who run what I call respectable public houses.’ Pic: Gareth Chaney Collins

Mr Healy-Rae pointed out that the incident on Saturday night did not occur inside a public premises, saying: ‘This was not inside any public premises, because our publicans that are opened… They run exceptionally efficient businesses, very well controlled, they are adhering to all the guidelines and they’re doing everything correctly.

‘That is why I would use that scene in Killarney on Saturday night as an argument in persuading Government to allow all public houses to open. Because if our public houses are open, people will get alcohol in a measured and principled way, by responsible people who go before our courts every 12 months and who run what I call respectable public houses.

‘I don’t agree with the public health advice, no one can go into detail about what is the difference between a wet house and one serving food.

© Provided by Extra.ie Mr Healy-Rae noted his brother Danny runs a pub, but said that everyone in the country was entitled to their opinion. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins

‘These are people who have been giving out drink to people for many decades, family pubs, family hotels, family restaurants, they’re responsible people. I’m advocating that all pubs should be open, not just ones who serve food.’

Mr Healy-Rae noted his brother Danny runs a pub, but said that everyone in the country was entitled to their opinion.

He continued: ‘I don’t agree with the public health advice, no one can go into detail about what is the difference between a wet house and one serving food.

‘There are a lot of anomalies. Of course I will adhere to and go along with the advice, but that doesn’t mean to say that I have to blindly agree and say they’re 100 per cent right in everything they say. That is not life.’