Danny Healy-Rae refuses to apologize for alleged Covid breaches: ‘I don’t have to apologize’

TD Danny Healy-Rae said he had “no excuse” for alleged breaches of Covid-19 regulations at his Kilgarvan pub last year.

Images and video unearthed online last summer showed crowds singing and dancing at the pub and queuing at the bar to buy drinks, at a time when table service and social distancing were in operation.

Another picture showed Mr Healy-Rae pouring pints behind the bar in his crowded pub on his son’s wedding day.

The crowd did not wear masks, as was required by the government at the time.

The chief prosecutor ruled earlier this year that there was insufficient evidence to convict following a Garda investigation.

“They asked me about it several times and I have nothing to say except that I heard the DPP is not going ahead with it.

“That’s all I have to say, and you know as much as I do.

“I know she asked a lot of questions about it and I have nothing to say about it at all,” Mr. Healy Rae told Jerry O’Sullivan on Radio Kerry.

A clip of Mr Healy-Rae, speaking to the Dáil just weeks before the pictures were taken, was heard criticizing Health Secretary Stephen Donnelly, asking him: “Why don’t you trust the customs officers? Why don’t you trust people who run small restaurants and indoor cafes; they can separate people from each other”.

Mr Healy-Rae did not want to know whether, given the pictures and videos, he regretted telling Government ministers that they were “throwing business candidates to the wolves” due to the social distancing measures enforced in pubs during the Covid-19 pandemic ‘ came from his pub.

Danny said he had “no apologies to offer” after admitting he had attacked the government at length for its treatment of tax collectors during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I don’t apologize for speaking up for the innkeepers of Kerry in the Dáil or for rural Ireland, I will never apologize for that.

“I’m sure you and many other people have left no stone unturned [in investigating the alleged breaches at his pub]but I will not comment further on it.

“I was acquitted or I was exonerated,” Mr Healy-Rae said, before Jerry O’Sullivan reminded him that he was not acquitted but the DPP decided there was insufficient evidence to pursue a criminal case.

“If you’re not happy with the DPP or their decision, you need to talk to them, Jerry,” Mr. Healy Rae said.

The DPP is Catherine Pierse, from Listowel, Co. Kerry.