Gardaí have arrived at a Dublin beauty salon that reopened its doors this morning in spite of Level Five coronavirus restrictions.

C and N Beauty Rooms in Balbriggan was completely booked out after announcing its plans online.

C and N Beauty Rooms in Balbriggan after opening its doors during lockdown, 23-02-2021. Image: Kacey O’Riordan/Newstalk

Owner Christine McTiernan told Newstalk’s Kacey O’Riordan this morning that she simply can’t survive much longer without earning a living.

“I am taking a stand on my behalf,” she said.

“This is for me. I have to do what I have to do to pay my bills and that is what is important to me.

“I have to put food on the table. I have to pay my rent. All my bills have to be paid.

“What is happening does not stop my bills from coming so I have to pay them. So yes, it is purely for survival I am doing this.”

The shop welcomed a number of customers before Gardaí arrived this morning.

In a sign on the shop window, Ms McTiernan insisted she has a Constitutional right to provide for her family.

“I find it absolutely necessary for me to open my business both for our benefit and for the common good.

“I accept and acknowledge that the Constitution recognises all my rights – including the right to earn a living and provide for my family.

"I need to earn a living to pay my bills and in order to provide for our mental and physical health and wellbeing.”

Gardaí arrive at C and N Beauty Rooms in Balbriggan after it opened its doors during lockdown, 23-02-2021. Image: Kacey O’Riordan/Newstalk

Ms McTiernan announced her plan online over the weekend and said she has received “huge support” – although some people did warn that they would report her to Gardaí.

In a statement this afternoon, Gardaí said they are investigating "alleged breaches of public health regulations" at the salon.

They said officers are continuing to adopt the 'Four Es' approach to policing public health regulations - "engage, explain, encourage, and as a last resort, enforce."

"Where Gardaí find potential breaches of the public health regulations, the advices of the DPP will be sought or Fixed Payment Notices will be issued where appropriate," the statement reads.

You can listen back to Kacey's report here:

Reporting by Kacey O'Riordan