New fines are being brought in for people organising or attending house parties as part of tougher coronavirus laws.
The cabinet's agreed to bring in a system of graduated penalties for those breaking the rules.
As part of that, the cabinet's agreed to give Gardai new powers to crack down on house parties.
🚨 Gardai are to be given the power to fine the owner of a house who refuses to break up a party
🏠 Gardai will also be able to wait outside that house and fine each person who’d been attending when they leave
All part of the new #COVID19 fines system agreed by cabinet— Stephen Murphy (@Stephen_Murphy5) October 20, 2020
So Gardai can go to a house where a party's on - they can't go in but can ask the owner to put a stop to things - they can be fined if they refuse.
Gardai will also be able to wait outside a house for the party to finish - and fine anyone who'd been attending.
They'll also have powers to fine anyone they suspect of being on their way to a house party - who refuse to leave the area.
People not wearing face masks in shops, or breaking the 5 kilometre travel limit, may also face fines under the new rules.
