Gardaí were called in to shut down a mass at a church in County Westmeath yesterday.
Video footage of officers entering the church in Athlone shortly after 10am has been widely shared online.
A Garda spokesperson said no fines were issued and those involved agreed to leave after the mass was shut down.
Under the current coronavirus restrictions, churches and other places are allowed to open – but only for private prayer.
As of today, the number of people allowed to attend at funerals has increased from 10 to 25 people.
The Garda spokesperson said officers, “engaged with those present and all persons complied with direction from Gardaí.”
He noted that Gardaí have and will continue to adopt the Four E’s approach to policing coronavirus restrictions - Engage, Explain, Encourage and, as a last resort, Enforce.
