Simon Harris has called scenes at Berlin D2 in Dublin on Saturday as a 'kick in the gut and middle finger' to everyone who has worked hard to stop the spread of Covid-19 in Ireland.
Videos which appeared on Twitter on Saturday night showed a barman pouring drinks directly into the mouths of dancing customers.
The Dame Lane establishment had advertised a €25 per person 'very boozy baked brunch with your buds' event which was due to begin at 1pm on Saturday. That €25 included 'ADMISH, YOUR DISH, A SHOT AND A HELL OF A HOOLY!'
Former TD Noel Rock tweeted video of the event on Saturday night, calling it a "disgrace".
I’m afraid that’s confirmed: this was Dublin today, Berlin pub on Dame Lane. It’s infuriating. I know many other pub owners are understandably livid to see this. pic.twitter.com/eHoptATmj8
— Noel Rock (@NoelRock) August 15, 2020
On Sunday morning, the Licensed Vintners Association said: "This is outrageous and appalling. That business should be shut down immediately. It is not a pub and does not hold a pub licence. Clear need for inspections across the hospitality sector to ensure compliance with guidelines and licensing conditions."
Minister Simon Harris, who had been Minister for Health for much of the Covid-19 pandemic prior to being replaced by Stephen Donnelly, also condemned the scenes.
"A right kick in the gut & middle finger to everyone in our country who has worked so hard & sacrificed so much, to everyone who has lost a loved one or been sick with #Covid19, to every frontline worker and to every responsible business owner who have suffered so much. Shameful," Harris tweeted.
The vast majority of Irish people have sacrificed a huge amount to help suppress this virus. They’ve shown huge solidarity. People are rightly sickened by these scenes. The reckless actions of a small few can have huge repercussions on everyone else. https://t.co/BNQsjDk3m8
— Stephen Donnelly (@DonnellyStephen) August 16, 2020
