The Agriculture Minister has resigned after apologising for attending an event with 80 people.
Dara Calleary admitted going to an Oireachtas Golf Society event in a hotel in Clifden in Galway on Wednesday night.
Meanwhile Gardaí say they are investigating possible breaches of Covid-19 guidelines at the dinner.
Last night I attended a function I committed to a number of weeks ago, to pay tribute to a person I respected and admired greatly. In light of the updated public health guidance this week I should not have attended the event. I wish to apologise unreservedly to everyone 1/2
— Dara Calleary (@daracalleary) August 20, 2020
Taoiseach Micheál Martin accepted his resignation this morning.
Fine Gael senator Jerry Buttimer has also apologised for attending, while EU Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan was also there.
1) I attended the Oireachtas Golf Society dinner on Wednesday on the clear understanding that the organisers and the hotel concerned had been assured [by the Irish Hotels’ Federation] that the arrangements put in place would be in compliance with the government’s guidelines.
— Phil Hogan (@PhilHoganEU) August 21, 2020
The government's guidelines state only six people can attend indoor gatherings, with some exceptions for up to 50 people including weddings.
Deputy Paul Murphy earlier called on the Minister to give a clearer explanation of what happened;
"It sends a very bad message about adherence to the public health guidelines so yes I think it certainly puts his position in jeopardy and we need to know more about how he ended up in this situation," he said.
"...was it an accident as in he thought there would be 50 people there but then it turned out to be 81."
