COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland

On 12 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that a novel coronavirus was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Hubei's capital city Wuhan in China, which was reported to the WHO on 31 December 2019.[23][24]

Though having a case fatality ratio much lower than SARS of 2003,[25][26] the transmission of COVID-19 significantly outdid its predecessor, with a significant total death toll.[27][25]

The virus's arrival in Europe was confirmed on 24 January, when the continent's first case was reported in the French city of Bordeaux.[28]

On 23 January, director of the Health Service Executive's (HSE)'s Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) said the risk of COVID-19 cases in Ireland was "quite low", "If we were to see a case in a European country the risk of a secondary case – a person transmitting to somebody else – is also low".[29]

Meanwhile, there had been 52 deaths in Ireland from flu during the winter season. HSE Assistant National Director of Public Health and Child Health, Dr Kevin Kelleher, praised China's response to COVID-19 as "utterly open" and "phenomenal".[30][31] Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) said that no actions were required while the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade had not advised against travelling to China.[32]

The NPHET, a group within the Department of Health, began monitoring the spread of the virus before it was confirmed to have reached Ireland.[33] According to The Irish Times, the NPHET for COVID-19 was created on 27 January 2020.[34] NPHET continued to meet after the virus had arrived in Ireland to co-ordinate the national response to the pandemic.[35] The Coronavirus Expert Advisory Group—a subgroup of NPHET chaired by Dr Cillian de Gascun, the UCD-based Director of the National Virus Reference Laboratory – met for the first time on 5 February in Dublin.[36][37][38]

In late February, the Department of Health stated that Ireland was in the Containment Phase of its strategy against the virus, though media briefings with such figures as Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan and de Gascun were already underway.[39]

On 20 February, COVID-19 was added to the list of notifiable diseases legislated in Ireland. As a notifiable disease COVID-19 was included among the list of diseases designated as "infectious diseases". Medical practitioners or laboratory directors, on becoming aware of a notifiable disease, should notify it to a Medical Officer of Health (Director of Public Health or designate) who subsequently notify HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).[19]

On 27 February, the first case on the island of Ireland was announced—a woman from Belfast who had travelled from Northern Italy through Dublin Airport.[40] Two days later, on 29 February, the first confirmed case in the Republic of Ireland was announced involving a male student from the east of the country, who had arrived there from Northern Italy.[4][41][42] Authorities shut a secondary school linked to the case as a precautionary measure.[41][43] The State did not name the school involved, but—shortly afterwards—the Irish Examiner's Political Editor, Daniel McConnell, tweeted a copy of the letter it had sent to parents informing them it would close.[44]

Donal O'Sullivan—a solicitor in his early fifties and a former Fine Gael councillor from Arklow—was one of the first people in the country to test COVID-19 positive. He spent one week in the Mater Hospital, another self-isolating at home, then returned to work on 19 March. He had gone skiing with others, including a nurse (Northern Ireland resident), in Trentino in northeastern Italy in February and—when they travelled back to Ireland via Verona Villafranca Airport—the nurse had herself tested. Her test returned a positive result, leading O'Sullivan to insist on a test of his own. He remained entirely asymptomatic throughout.[45][46]

On 3 March, a second case was confirmed of a female in the east of the country who had been to Northern Italy.[47] She had no contact with the first case.

On 4 March, four more cases were confirmed, two females and two males in the west of the country who travelled from northern Italy, bringing the total to six.[48]

On 5 March, seven more cases were confirmed, bringing the total to 13.[49] Four of the cases were related to travel from Northern Italy—four males from the east of the country—one of these four cases was connected to Trinity College Dublin.[50] Two of the seven cases were associated with close contact with a confirmed case—two females in the west of the country. One of the seven cases was a male in the south of the country who had no history of travel abroad.[51]

On 6 March, it was reported that more than 60 staff at Cork University Hospital would have to self-isolate following a case of community transmission of COVID-19 at the hospital.[52] The same day brought confirmation of five more cases, bringing the total in the country at that time to 18.[53]

On 7 March, one more case was confirmed bringing the total to 19.[54] On 8 March, two more cases were confirmed bringing the total to 21.[55] On 9 March, three more cases were confirmed bringing the total to 24.[56] On 10 March, ten more cases were confirmed bringing the total to 34.[57]

On 11 March, an elderly patient in Naas General Hospital in County Kildare (south-west of the country's capital city, Dublin) became Ireland's first fatality from the virus; nine new cases were announced.[58] This brought confirmed cases to 43. Cork University Hospital discharged a patient who had been admitted for coronavirus disease after they made a full recovery.[59]

Number of cases (blue), number of deaths (red) and reported deaths last ten days (dotted black) on a logarithmic scale

On 12 March, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced the closure of all schools, colleges and childcare facilities until 29 March.[7] The announcement, which came one day after the World Health Organization formally declared that the outbreak was pandemic, also marked Ireland's movement from the Containment Phase in its strategy to combat the spread of the virus (a strategy which the Department of the Taoiseach had reaffirmed just three days earlier) towards the Delay Phase.[60][61]

On 14 March, 39 new cases were confirmed and another death announced of a man in the East of the country with underlying medical conditions. This brought the total cases to 129, with 2 deaths in total.[62]

On 15 March, University Hospital Limerick discharged four patients.[63][64] The Government ordered bars and public houses to close and advised against house parties.[65]

On 18 March, detailed information about hospital statistics, age range affected, how COVID-19 was spreading, healthcare workers and cases by county was published by the National Public Health Emergency Team starting on this day. It showed that the virus was present in 23 of the 26 counties, with Laois, Leitrim and Monaghan the only three yet to record a case.[66]

On 19 March, 191 new cases were confirmed, bringing total to 557. 1 new death was recorded, bringing the total to 3 deaths.[67][68] The woman died in an isolation ward in St Vincent's Hospital.[69][70] Her daughter later spoke to the media and urged the public to protect themselves from the virus.[71][72][73]

On 20 March, 126 new cases were reported, bringing the total to 683. It was also confirmed that the virus had since infected Laois and Leitrim, leaving Monaghan as the last of the 26 counties.[74]

On 22 March, 121 new cases were announced, bringing the total to 906. A fourth death was also announced, bringing the total number of deaths to 4.[75] The man, who died at the Mater Hospital, was musical director of a choir in Dublin and former Head of Vocal Studies at the Royal Irish Academy of Music.[76][77]

On 23 March, a further 219 cases and 2 more deaths were announced, bringing the totals to 1,125 cases and 6 deaths.[78] Of those then diagnosed, 208 were health care workers.[79]

On 25 March, 235 cases and 2 deaths were confirmed, bringing the totals to 1,564 cases and 9 deaths.[80] On 26 March, 255 cases and 10 deaths were confirmed, bringing the totals to 1,819 cases and 19 deaths, more than double the previous day's total.[81] According to Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan, most of the deaths occurred in "institutional settings", i.e. hospitals and nursing homes.[82] At this point, deaths began to accelerate rapidly.

On 27 March, 302 new cases as well as 3 new deaths brought the total number of confirmed cases and deaths to 2,121 and 22, respectively.[83] Among the deaths was the country's first healthcare fatality, who was based in the east.[84] Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced a series of measures which he summed up as: "Stay at Home" (subject to certain exemptions).[85] Merrion Street described it as "a more intensive phase in our response to COVID-19".[86] The measures, which coincided with an escalating death toll, were also a response to increased reliance on intensive care units (ICUs) to treat critically ill patients, and an attempt to lower this number before capacity was reached.[87]

From 28–31 March, 1,114 cases and 49 deaths were reported, bringing the totals to 3,235 cases and 71 deaths.[88]

On 1 April, an additional 212 cases and 14 deaths were reported, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 3,447, and the total number of deaths to 85.[89] It was also announced that Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan, who displayed signs of illness during the previous evening's news conference, had entered hospital for non-COVID reasons; Ronan Glynn (Deputy Chief Medical Officer and Head of the Department of Health's Health Protection Unit) took charge.[90]

On 2 April, a further 402 cases and 13 deaths were announced, bringing the totals to 3,849 cases and 98 deaths. Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan said of the intensive care unit (ICU) figures: “Of 148 cases admitted to ICU, 25 of those cases have been discharged, sadly there have been 14 deaths from ICU and 109 remain in ICU. The median age of ICU admission is 62.”[91] On 3 April, a further 424 cases and 22 deaths were reported, bringing the totals to 4,273 cases and 120 deaths.[92] One patient was discharged from Sligo University Hospital after being admitted to hospital for 10 days.[93]

From 4–9 April, 2,301 cases and 143 deaths were reported, bringing the totals to 6,574 cases and 263 deaths.[94][95]

On 10 April, a further 480 cases and 25 deaths were initially reported by the Department of Health, bringing the totals to 7,054 cases and 288 deaths. It was reported that there was a discrepancy between the number of cases confirmed by Ireland's Department of Health and the ECDC, due to swab tests sent to Germany for analysis to clear the backlog and testing in Ireland. 14,000 samples returned from German labs, of which 1,035 tested positive, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 8,089. 62 patients admitted to ICU were discharged as of that date.[96] Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced that measures introduced on 27 March would be extended until at least 5 May.[97]

From 11–14 April, 2,058 cases, together with a total of 1,332 additional cases from previous samples sent to Germany, and 119 deaths were reported, bringing the totals to 11,479 cases and 406 deaths. Minister for Health Simon Harris said between 25,000 and 30,000 tests had been sent to Germany and "well over" half of the results had been returned, with the remainder due back by next week.[98] The National Public Health Emergency Team said there would be a "real danger" of a second wave of virus cases, if the changing of restrictions was not done correctly.[99][100][101]

On 15 April, a further 657 cases, together with an additional 411 cases from the backlog of tests at the laboratory in Germany, and 38 deaths were reported, bringing the totals to 12,547 cases and 444 deaths.[102] Among the deaths announced, a 23-year-old said to be the youngest person to have died in the country at the time.[103] Also on this date, a spokesperson for the Ireland East Hospital Group confirmed the deaths of two healthcare workers, a man and a woman, at the same hospital in Kilkenny, the man having died at home the previous day and the woman having died in the hospital that day.[104][105]

By 16 April, 13,271 cases and 486 deaths had been confirmed.[106] The National Public Health Emergency Team reported that lockdown and other measures had driven the growth rate of the pandemic "as low as it needs to be" and was "close to zero".[15]

From 17–21 April, 2,461 cases, together with a total of 308 additional cases from the backlog of tests at the laboratory in Germany, and 245 deaths were reported, bringing the totals to 16,040 cases and 730 deaths.[107] Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan announced that 8,377 people had recovered in the community and that 856 people were discharged from hospital. He also announced that the curve had flattened and that no peak would be coming.[16] One previously reported death was no longer classified as related to COVID-19.[108]

On 24 April, a further 577 cases and 37 deaths, and 185 probable deaths were reported, and 2 deaths previously reported were reclassified as unrelated to COVID-19, bringing the totals to 18,184 cases and 1,014 deaths. The HPSC defines a probable death as "a death where a lab test has not been done but where a doctor believes a death is associated with current COVID-19." The total number of deaths includes probable deaths in accordance with advice from the ECDC.[109]

On 28 April, a further 299 cases were initially reported but the number was corrected to 229 by Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan, and 59 deaths were reported, bringing the totals to 19,877 cases and 1,159 deaths. 2 previously notified deaths were de-notified.[110]

On 29 April, a further 376 cases and 31 deaths were reported, bringing the totals to 20,253 cases and 1,190 deaths.[111] Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan said "We estimate that as of Saturday 25th April 12,222 COVID-19 cases (64%) in the community have recovered. 1,164 cases (6%) have been discharged from hospital which gives us a total recovery rate of 70%."[112]

On 1 May, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced the extension of the current restrictions to 18 May at the earliest.[10] A roadmap to easing restrictions in Ireland that includes five stages was adopted by the government on 1 May 2020 and subsequently published online.[113][114]

From 2–4 May, 939 cases and 60 deaths were reported, bringing the totals to 21,772 cases and 1,319 deaths. 6 previously notified deaths were de-notified.[115][116][117]

From 5–8 May, 769 cases and 116 deaths were reported, bringing the totals to 22,541 cases and 1,429 deaths. 6 previously notified deaths were de-notified.[118][119] Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan announced that 17,110 had recovered in the community and that 1,399 people had been discharged from hospital as of that date.

From 9–13 May, 860 cases and 79 deaths were reported, bringing the totals to 23,401 cases and 1,497 deaths. 11 previously notified deaths were de-notified.[120] Deputy Chief Medical Officer Ronan Glynn announced that 17,877 people had recovered in the community and 1,593 people had recovered in hospital as of 10 May.[121][122]

On 14 May, a further 426[note 1] cases and 10 deaths were reported, bringing the totals to 23,827 cases and 1,506 deaths. 1 previously notified death was de-notified.[123]

On 15 May, Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan announced seven children in Ireland had been identified with links to paediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome, a new illness temporarily associated with COVID-19.[124] The Government of Ireland confirmed that phase one of easing the COVID-19 restrictions would begin on Monday 18 May.[125] Among the heritage sites reopening under phase one were Cong Abbey, Farmleigh, Kilkenny Castle, Knocknarea, the National Botanic Gardens and Trim Castle.[126]

From 16–17 May, 156 cases and 25 deaths were reported, bringing the totals to 24,112 cases and 1,543 deaths.[127][128] At this point, cases and deaths began to decelerate.

On 18 May, the government's roadmap of easing COVID-19 restrictions began.[129]

From 18–31 May, 906 cases and 123 deaths were reported, bringing the totals to 24,990 cases and 1,652 deaths. 14 previously notified deaths and 23 cases were de-notified.[130]

From 1–29 June, 1,827 cases and 105 deaths were reported, bringing the totals to 25,462 cases and 1,735 deaths. 19 previously notified deaths and 75 cases were de-notified.[130]

By 21 June, 23,349 people had recovered.[3]

In February—before any case was reported in Ireland—two dual Irish citizens with Germany tested positive for COVID-19 during the outbreak on the cruise ship Diamond Princess and were treated in hospital in Japan, while nine Irish citizens were on MS Westerdam at Sihanoukville off the coast of Cambodia, seven of whom were being monitored for signs of the virus.[241][242]

In mid-March, it was revealed that several Irish citizens were aboard the cruise ship Celebrity Eclipse to which Chile denied entry, though no illnesses were reported at the time.[243]

In late March, it was revealed that as many as a dozen Irish citizens were aboard the Holland America cruise ship MS Zaandam which left Buenos Aires on 7 March and which Panama denied transit through the Panama Canal after countless passengers contracted the virus and some died. RTÉ News reported one Irish family as saying: "The passengers in this cruise are largely in the over-65 category. They are all confined to their cabins and are all extremely anxious, as you can imagine".[244] Asymptomatic passengers, including some Irish, were transferred from Zaandam to its sister-ship MS Rotterdam after passing a medical test.[245] The Zaandam docked at the Fort Lauderdale seaport of Port Everglades in the U.S. state of Florida in early April.[246][247][248]

On 10 March—following the Irish government's decision to lock down the country in a bid to decelerate the rapid spread of the virus after its arrival on the island—Ryanair announced it would suspend all flights to, from and within Ireland until 8 April, while Aer Lingus did likewise—but with 3 April as its intended end date.[249]

Aer Lingus waived change fees on flights booked for March, April and May, while Ryanair waived change fees on flights booked until the end of March.[250] By April, Dublin Airport was only running repatriation flights, or those with vital supplies (a reduction of more than 95% from the same week in 2019); Cork Airport was reduced to three return flights each day, all of which went to and from London, the first of which left at 4 pm and the last returning at 7:30 pm; Ireland West Airport had no commercial flights and both daily flights to and from Kerry Airport went to Dublin.[251]

The High Court appointed an interim examiner to CityJet in mid-April.[252]

The virus prompted the "biggest repatriation ever in the history of the State", according to Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Coveney, involving the rescue of citizens stranded in such foreign lands as Australia, New Zealand, India, South Africa and Vietnam.[253]

On 22 March, Coveney announced the planned repatriation, by charter flight, of Irish citizens from Peru.[254] On 30 March, the repatriation flight touched down at Dublin Airport.[255]

One man repatriated from Canada through London on 23 March travelled from Dublin Airport to his home in County Leitrim in his father's cattle trailer as a precaution; word of the trip spread internationally to both hemispheres.[256]

On 15 May, it was reported that the Ireland's Call initiative, which had been established to repatriate Irish healthcare workers stranded in foreign lands, would cease after 21 nurses were repatriated from the Philippines the following Wednesday. [257] In addition to delivering PPE and housing 43 frontline workers, the volunteer initiative raised over €90,000 and repatriated 67 healthcare workers from 19 countries, funding 154 flights. [258]

As of early April—and unlike airports in east Asia—passengers on the few flights still arriving in Ireland were not having their temperatures checked for symptoms of the virus.[259]

Minister for Health Simon Harris told the Dáil on 23 April that arrivals at an airport would be obliged to fill out a form stating their place of residence for the course of their stay in the country[260]

On 12 May, it was revealed that Gardaí would be given the power to check passengers arriving in Ireland from overseas under new COVID-19 restrictions being considered by the Government. Gardaí would be permitted to call to the addresses of passengers to ensure their adherence to self-isolation for two weeks upon arrival in Ireland.[261]

On 22 May, Minister for Health Simon Harris announced that from 28 May, all passengers arriving into the country would be legally required to complete a passenger locator form. The regulations being signed by Harris and remaining in effect until 18 June. He also announced that it would be an offence not to fill in a passenger location form, with fines of up to €2,500 or a potential prison sentence.[262][263][264]

See also: Related section on media for impact on the press, radio and television

In the wake of fake news and rumours circulating online—including claims that a military-enforced "status red lockdown" would be enforced from 11:00 on Monday 16 March—ministers and the head of the Defence Forces made calls for people to be more responsible with the information they shared online and to only trust reputable sources.[265][266]

An Post indefinitely postponed its price increase on stamps (due to have started on 18 March), announced earlier opening hours on Fridays for OAPs to get their pensions and introduced measures to limit contact between customers and staff, including pausing the need for recipients of parcels to provide a signature.[267] The postal service provider also distributed two free postcards to each household, for those wishing to contact others elsewhere in the country.[268] Delayed deliveries of parcels and letters, and a request for children to be kept away as well.[269] The government ruled out asking An Post to provide a moratorium on television licence payments.[270]

Telecommunications company eir indefinitely postponed its intended introduction on 31 March of subscription charges for the eircom.net email service, following criticism of its timing (though the company had announced the charge in February, before the virus's impact on Ireland was known).[271][272][273]

Surveys taking place as part of Ireland's national broadband plan, such as ongoing works at one of its key sites in Cavan, continued as of early April.[274]

Molly Malone wearing a smiley mask during the COVID-19 pandemic

See also: Related sections on the topics of media and sport

St Patrick's Day parades were called off due to concerns that they would be a threat to public health.[8] Galway was the last Irish city to do so, as its local politicians simply deferred making the decision until the government forced it upon them by cancelling all parades.[275] The Orange Order cancelled its annual 12 July parades due to the virus, with one of those taking place in Rossnowlagh.[276] On 29 April, it was announced that the 2020 Dublin Pride Festival would be cancelled, with an alternative "interactive digital festival" taking place instead.[277][278] 23 June brought the suspension of the annual summer pilgrimage to Lough Derg for the first time in 192 years.[279][280] 26 June brought the cancellation of the 2020 Ballinasloe Horse Fair festival, due to have taken place in Ballinasloe at the beginning of October.[281][282]

The European Commission had designated Galway as European Capital of Culture for 2020, a process begun—and planned for—years in advance. Following the Taoiseach's Washington announcement, which closed all cultural institutions until 29 March, the organisers of Galway 2020 announced that some of its upcoming events were cancelled, though most would be postponed.[283][284][285][286] By 24 March, RTÉ reported that the entire year's itinerary was "in serious jeopardy".[287] On 7 April, RTÉ reported that a teleconference that morning had revealed that most staff had been temporarily laid off and that the Creative Director for Galway 2020's contract had been brought to an end.[288] By 10 April, The Art Newspaper reported that the year's entire programme had "essentially been abandoned".[289]

Cork International Poetry Festival—scheduled for between 24 and 28 March—was cancelled.[290] On 11 March, Dún Laoghaire's Mountains to Sea literary festival—scheduled for between 26 and 29 March—announced its 2020 event had been cancelled due to the virus.[291][292] On 23 March, International Literature Festival Dublin—an annual literary festival scheduled for between 15 and 24 May—announced its postponement until later in the year and promised refunds to anyone who had purchased tickets for two events it had already announced involving Hilary Mantel and Bob Geldof, if these events did not go ahead at a later time.[293][294][295][296] Listowel Writers' Week, in what would have been its fiftieth annual event and scheduled for between 27 and 31 May, was also cancelled due to the virus.[297][298][299] On 30 March, the organisers of Galway city's main literary festival, the annual Cúirt International Festival of Literature—scheduled for between 20 and 25 April—announced it would not proceed "in its physical form" in 2020 due to problems created by the pandemic shutdown and the grounding of invited foreign writers abroad; however, only a small selection of the advertised events (including the Eilís Dillon centenary commemoration) were officially "postponed" and full ticket refunds were offered.[300] On 6 April, Cúirt announced it would be holding the world's first completely digital literary festival between 23 and 25 April, with events to be held at traditional venues such as the Town Hall Theatre, Nun's Island and Charlie Byrne's Bookshop, and broadcast for free through YouTube (though it requested donations to support the writers involved).[301][302][303] The annual Dalkey Book Festival festival—scheduled for between 18 and 21 June—announced its 2020 event had been postponed due to the virus.[304]

All events at the National Concert Hall were cancelled.[305] The annual Féis Ceoil was cancelled.[306] Music for Galway cancelled its annual Good Friday concert in the St Nicholas Collegiate Church, scheduled for 3 April, and its new nine-day Cellissimo festival dedicated to the cello was postponed until 2021.[307] On 20 March, it was announced that the 2020 Fleadh Cheoil, due to have taken place in Mullingar in August, would be cancelled.[308] The Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO), the Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA), and First Music Contact (FMC) launched a joint emergency relief fund, with the support of Spotify's global relief fund, for Irish musicians (i.e. songwriters, composers, performers, session musicians and arrangers) whose livelihoods were affected.[309][310] 11 May brought the cancellation of the 2020 Electric Picnic festival, due to have taken place in County Laois at the beginning of September.[311][312]

The National Gallery of Ireland cancelled its exhibition "Irish Horse".[313] Its exhibitions on Spanish Golden Age painter Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (a series of works shown for the first time in decades), as well as those on rare Italian seventeenth and eighteenth century travel guidebooks and Irish botanical art, were interrupted by the government-imposed closure.[314][315][316]

In mid-April, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland announced new support measures that aim to ease the impact of COVID-19 on the Irish television and film industry.[317] Filming in Ireland of the Ridley Scott-directed The Last Duel was also supposed to begin in April but was put on "indefinite hiatus" shortly beforehand; numerous media reports referenced sightings of one of its actors, Matt Damon of the U.S., in Ireland after his country banned travel from Europe.[318] Damon gave a radio interview in mid-May before departing Ireland and flying back to his country.[319][320] On 27 April, it was announced that the 2020 edition of the Rose of Tralee would be cancelled for the first time in its 61-year history.[321]

See also: Related section on retail and Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

By mid-March, nearly 3% of the population—140,000 people (including 70,000 restaurant staff, 50,000 pub and bar staff and about 200 billionéche and childcare workers)—had lost their jobs due to restrictions brought in to delay the virus's spread.[322] The numbers of people in normally busy Dublin areas such as Grafton Street dropped by percentages in the sixties, seventies and eighties.[323][324]

On 16 March, Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection Regina Doherty announced the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment, which would be available for six weeks.[325]

On 18 March, banks—together with Minister of Finance Paschal Donohoe—announced a range of measures, including providing working capital, payment breaks and deferred court proceedings.[326]

On 19 March, Regina Doherty announced that all welfare would be distributed each fortnight instead of the traditional weekly, so as to limit the number of people gathering in post offices.[327]

On 24 March, the Temporary COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme was announced for a twelve-week run beginning on 26 March.[328] This allowed employers maintain responsibility for paying employees during the pandemic with the intention of maintaining the employer-employee relationship and ensure that employees continued to be registered with their employers, so that they will be able to get back to work quickly after the pandemic.[329] The Temporary COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme replaced an earlier COVID-19 Employer Refund Scheme.[330][331]

By early April, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) announced that a figure equivalent to more than one tenth of the country's population were unemployed.[332][333] A spokesman for Goodbody Stockbrokers described it as "unprecedented".[334] By the following week, the numbers receiving income supports had increased by 40% from the previous week's total.[335]

The Revenue Commissioners announced that tax exiles, normally permitted to spend 183 days of each year within Ireland, could stay for longer in 2020—without affecting taxation—if they could provide evidence that the virus prevented them from leaving.[336]

On 15 April, the Central Bank of Ireland published two reports highlighting a significant reduction in cash and ATM usage in the country.[337]

On 8 May, Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures showed an unemployment rate surpassing 28%, the largest in two decades.[338]

On 9 May, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys announced a "Return to Work Safely Protocol" which was published online to support employers and workers to put measures in place that would prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace, when the economy begins to slowly open up.[339][340]

On 15 May, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys announced details of a new €250m "Restart Grant" which would give direct grant aid of between €2,000 and €10,000 to small businesses to help them with the costs associated with reopening and re-employing workers following the COVID-19 closures. The scheme would open for applications on 22 May.[341][342][343]

On 22 May, the Government of Ireland had signed off on €6.8 billion in extra funding for the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, as it was due to reach this year's spending limit early the following month.[344]

Bags of books placed for collection outside an Irish primary school

Initially, some schools around the country were closed and pupils were instructed to self-isolate.[345][346]

On 12 March, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar—speaking from Washington, D.C. where he was meeting U.S. President Donald Trump—announced the closure of all schools, colleges and childcare facilities across Ireland until at least 29 March.[7] On 1 May, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced that all schools would remain closed until September 2020.[10]

On 19 March, Minister for Education Joe McHugh announced the cancellation of Leaving and Junior Cert oral and practical exams, with all students given top marks.[347] On 10 April, McHugh announced the postponement of Leaving Certificate written exams until late July/August, and that Junior Cycle examinations due to take place in June would be replaced by school-based exams and assessments held early in the new school year.[348] On 23 April, McHugh confirmed in the Dáil that Leaving Certificate examinations would begin on 29 July.[349][350] On 29 April, McHugh announced that all third-year Junior Cycle students would receive a certificate of completion and a report on achievement and that the decision to hold school-based exams and assessments early in the new school year was abandoned.[351][352] On 8 May, McHugh announced the cancellation of the Leaving Certificate examinations.[353] A guide to calculated grades that includes four layers has been published online by the Department of Education on 8 May.[354] The calculated grades system was initially rejected by the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland,[355][356] but was later agreed after further clarification was made by McHugh.[357][358]

On 21 March, State broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) announced that it would begin showing "school" live on television.[359] The broadcasts began on Monday 30 March, aimed at children attending 1st–6th class of primary school (i.e. roughly 6–12 years of age).[360]

On 24 March, Minister for Education Joe McHugh confirmed that schools would not be reopening on 30 March as had been the official deadline until then.[361][362] On 29 May, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced that the government intends to reopen schools at the end of August.[363]

On 2 April, the Department of Education deferred the introduction of its "School Inclusion Model" for the allocation of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) in schools that had been scheduled for September 2020, citing cancellations of meetings due to COVID-19 and the absence of therapists called to assist the Health Service Executive (HSE) in its battle against the pandemic.[364] Also on 2 April, RTÉ announced it would—on weekend mornings—televise those plays of William Shakespeare on the Junior and Leaving Certificate syllabi to cater for English students at secondary school who had been prevented from attending a live theatre performance ahead of their exam.[365]

Headfort School in Kells, the country's only private boarding school for children receiving primary education, was forced to shut due to debts worsened by the pandemic.[366][367]

With the virus affecting pupils transitioning from secondary education, a school in County Monaghan held a drive-in ceremony to bid farewell to its departing pupils.[368]

Trinity College Dublin cancelled lectures in March and moved to online delivery.[369]

On 6 April, Galway's University held the first non-physical online graduation ceremonies in its history, after bringing forward the examinations of 190 medical students to send them into service in hospitals with immediate effect.[370] Michael Ryan, the Irish-born Executive Director of the World Health Organization's Health Emergencies Programme, addressed those graduating from what was also the university where he studied.[371] The university also held another similar online ceremony two days later.[372] University College Cork held its first non-physical online graduation ceremony on 17 April (a date also brought forward for the same reason), with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar addressing them through a video link and asking anyone from overseas to stay in Ireland, because "everyone graduating this year" would be guaranteed an internship as a result of the virus.[373]

In May, researchers at Galway were reported to have developed a smartphone social distancing app which set off a vibrator if people were too close to each other for too long, with it being possible to suspend the vibrator if movement is not possible.[374]

In June, some universities either had (Galway) or were intending to (Dublin) refund rent fees to students (Galway also vowed to reduce the cost of its on-campus accommodation for the following academic year). However, Cork reduced its lease by only three weeks for the following academic year and Dublin's second university gave no comment on its intentions.[375]

The Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM), which had announced the cancellation of its spring and summer music exams on 12 March, announced on 8 April that it would allow online submissions of home-recorded exam performances in June 2020.[376]

On 20 April, the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht announced that all summer Irish language college courses scheduled for the various Gaeltacht regions throughout the country were cancelled, with the counties of Donegal and Galway particularly affected.[377][378][379]

Non-urgent hospital appointments and non-emergency surgery were cancelled to allow hospitals to cope with the anticipated rise in COVID-19 cases.[380]

Many hospitals placed stricter visitor restrictions in the hope of stopping the spread of the virus.[381][382]

In March, a blind woman—whose GP had referred her for assessment at a cardiac unit—was mistaken for a COVID-19 patient and spent time in a COVID-19 ward before doctors realised their mistake.[383]

On 24 March, the state announced it would take control of all private hospital facilities for the duration of the pandemic.[384]

In mid-April, the High Court made temporary orders which permitted a hospital to isolate an octogenarian patient with "an impaired capacity" who had tested positive for the virus while being treated for a physical injury, and whose actions (such as not keeping to his hospital room, coughing openly when wandering around the hospital, and his inability—due to his condition—to practise the appropriate hand hygiene) the hospital thought endangered the health of others (as well as himself, with concerns raised that other patients frustrated by his actions might pose a risk to his own safety). The hospital itself applied to the High Court and the patient's family supported the hospital's stance.[385]

Persons of elderly inclination residing in the part of the country from the centre of Dublin city southwards towards north County Wexford could avail of a visit from an emergency department doctor if they wished to avoid hospitals overrun with the virus.[386]

The former tuberculosis wards in St Mary's Hospital, Phoenix Park, were renovated and were to begin accepting COVID-19 patients from 11 May.[387]

On 10 May, RTÉ News reported that BreastCheck mammograms declined by 100% in April 2020 on April 2019, while CervicalCheck samples declined by 96% in April 2020 on April 2019, with the HSE explaining that both cancer screening progammes had been paused in March due to the virus and that the small number of CervicalCheck samples analysed in April had been taken in March.[388] On 24 June, the Health Service Executive announced that it hopes to clear the backlog of suspended CervicalCheck screening tests by October 2020, after being suspended since 27 March.[389]

On 13 April, St John of God Hospital, a psychiatric facility in Stillorgan, released a statement saying that half of all admissions over the previous month related to the virus, among whom were people suffering from severe social isolation and healthcare staff overburdened by their efforts to treat patients who had contracted the virus.[390][391]

An Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) study released in mid-May showed more than 45% less attendances at emergency departments each day during the week concluding at 29 March than in the week concluding 1 March, with the deduction in attendances more noticeable in those younger in age.[392]

On 7 June, HSE Chief Executive Paul Reid announced that 10 hospitals in Ireland had no COVID-19 cases.[393]

Nurses often returned to their cars after working in hospitals to find that their vehicles had been clamped. On 18 March, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) raised the issue with the HSE.[394] The following day, HSE chief executive officer Paul Reid ordered the immediate suspension of staff parking charges.[395]

A nurse from Annagry became the "face" of the UK's NHS and appeared on the front page of The Sunday Times.[396]

In April, Dogs Trust's Dublin centre launched a scheme to give temporary foster care to the dogs of medical professionals too busy to tend to their pets.[397] The Canine Centre, a dog grooming and care business in the south Dublin suburb of Churchtown, also offered a similar service when gardaí permitted it to reopen to take care of dogs belonging to nurses, doctors and HSE administrators.[398]

However, similar efforts to take care of the children of healthcare workers ran aground. After launching on 7 May, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Katherine Zappone announced its cancellation one week later on 14 May.[399][400] The scheme had been much anticipated.[401] Its cancellation was much criticised.[402]

On 23 June, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) announced that Ireland has the highest COVID-19 infection rates among healthcare workers in the world.[403]

Aer Lingus began flying to Beijing in late March 2020 with their A330-300 fleet to collect personal protective equipment (PPE) for Irish healthcare workers.[404]

A company making surgical face masks, for the global and local market, increased its production.[405] Listoke Distillery in Drogheda (east of Ireland, north of Dublin) was repurposed to produce hand sanitiser.[406][407] Moville-based clothing company Moville Clothing—which usually makes robes for barristers and clerics—began making surgical scrubs, with the assistance of donations from the public (organised by designer Edel McBride, who was prompted by annoyance at hearing that healthcare workers had to buy their own sanitary clothing).[408][409] Public libraries lent their 3D printers to the making of face shields for healthcare workers.[410] Engineers from Trinity College Dublin also brought several 3D printers to their houses to make face shields.[411][412] The Irish Journal of Medical Science accepted a design for a low-cost facemask, not intended to replace PPE but as a "last resort".[413]

In mid-March, Irish technology company Cliffrun Health—alongside staff at the Mater Hospital—launched a first of its kind system in which data such as blood pressure and temperature would be sent from a COVID-19 patient who had sent home to staff at the hospital, thus freeing beds for the more critically ill.[414] Medical device company, the Inspire Team (based at the university in Galway), designed a system to enable for the first time the safe treatment of two patients with one ventilator; the system was made available for export internationally.[415] Forklift manufacturer, Combilift (based in the north midlands town of Monaghan), designed a Combi-Ventilate splitter device intended to allow two patients to be treated together while also enabling medical professionals to control each person individually.[416] Previously, the Health Service Executive (HSE) had begun stocking up on ventilators in anticipation of a possible surge in respiratory distress cases from the virus.[417] However, in April, the Swords-based pharmaceutical service firm Narooma Ltd sued the HSE at the High Court over a contract breach, stating that a deal to purchase ventilators on behalf of the HSE and deliver them from the Far East in three shipments between 20 April and 15 May had been agreed at the close of March, but that the HSE had not honoured this and had not paid Narooma any of the money it was owed.[418][419]

In mid-April, a spokesperson for Moon Jae-in disclosed that Bono had written to the President of South Korea asking for items including personal protective equipment (PPE) and diagnostic kits which he would pay for on behalf of Ireland.[420]

Unsuitable PPE imported from China, such as gowns which did not cover the arms of their wearers, was delivered to COVID-19 testing centres, hospitals and ambulance units in Dublin, Donegal, Sligo, Galway and Limerick in late March and early April.[421] Cork University Hospital's infectious disease unit began sending KN95 facemasks imported from China to Kinsale Community School, where students there were able to repair them and send them back to the hospital for use by staff.[422] The HSE called Sullane Valley Manufacturing to ask if they could mend Cork University Hospital's supply of gowns; workers with the Cork-based fabric company attached hook-and-loop fasteners (i.e. velcro) instead of zippers, removed some legs and attached the legs to the sleeves of the gowns.[423]

On 10 June, the world's largest aircraft landed at Shannon Airport with a consignment of PPE imported from China for the Health Service Executive (HSE).[424][425] The consignment of 900,000 medical gowns of PPE is the largest ever ordered by Ireland, and will last 12.5 days under the current levels of demand.[426]

At a press conference on the evening of 16 March, Minister of Health Simon Harris said more staff would be required in hospitals nationwide and a recruitment drive was launched on 17 March.[427] On 17 March, Harris announced free consultations for COVID-19 testing alongside the recruitment drive to hire more healthcare workers, including those retired and working part-time.[428] The HSE asked all healthcare professionals (and even non-healthcare professionals) to register to "be on call for Ireland" if they had not already done so.[13] One of those who immediately signed up was Róisin Doherty, the wife of Sinn Féin politician Pearse. A former nurse, she had later become a teacher but found herself out of work when the schools shut.[429][430] Others came back from abroad.[431] On 5 April, The Irish Times reported on another high-profile applicant: it said that Taoiseach Leo Varadkar—in response to the recruitment drive—had rejoined the Medical Council the previous month, with the intention of working one day per week. A spokesperson confirmed that Varadkar intended to "help out even in a small way" in "areas that are within his scope of practice".[432][433][434]

On 29 March, the HSE unveiled new facilities at Dublin's Citywest hotel; this had a dual purpose, for self-isolation of individuals where needed and as an overflow stepdown facility for patients from hospitals not yet able to go back home.[435]

The first patients began to arrive on 1 April.[436]

On 29 April, the facility's manager reported an increase in referrals during the previous ten days and that 114 people were in their care on that date, out of an admissions and discharges total of more than 200 people as of that time.[437]

On 19 June, the Health Service Executive announced that the cost of renting the hotel for COVID-19 use is likely to reach €21 million. The HSE is considering whether to end the lease.[438]

Nursing homes placed restrictions on visitors from early March and banned all children.[439]

Nine residents of the Maryborough Centre, St Fintan's Hospital in Portlaoise, died over the Easter weekend (eight confirmed as COVID-19 positive), reducing the number of residents there by one third.[440]

In mid-April, volunteers from the Irish Red Cross assisted the HSE and Civil Defence in evacuating 19 residents from a care home in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, and their transfer to St Joseph's Community Hospital in Stranorlar, when staff were struck down by illness.[441]

On the night of 16 April, the HSE confirmed to The Irish Times that 11 residents of Ireland's biggest publicly owned home for the elderly—St Mary's Hospital in Phoenix Park—had died after contracting the virus since 2 April.[442][443][444] On 25 April, the HSE confirmed that 10 more residents had since died, bringing the total deaths there to 21.[445][446][447]

While discussing the virus's prevalence in the border counties of Cavan and Monaghan on Virgin Media News in late-April, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys—a TD representing the Cavan–Monaghan constituency—said that "four residential nursing homes" had experienced outbreaks of the virus.[193]

Deaths were reported in nursing homes in the Dublin suburbs of Castleknock,[448] and Milltown,[449] as well as in the towns of Belmullet,[450] Dundalk[451] and Portarlington.[452]

Daniel O'Donnell did open-air concerts for elderly residents of care homes and hospitals around his native County Donegal; the residents watched the performances from their windows. O'Donnell acquired his own little loudspeaker for the performances and said: "It passed the time for me, takes nothing out of me and gives a wee bit of a change of atmosphere to those people who are in the hospitals and various places".[453]

The Monday night current affairs television series Claire Byrne Live on 9 March 2020 was filmed with a reduced studio audience as an effort at social distancing; seven days later, on 16 March 2020, there was no studio audience at all and presenter Claire Byrne conducted interviews with guests—such as Minister for Health Simon Harris—live from her garden shed, as she had been advised to self-isolate.[454] On 23 March, ahead of her second week broadcasting to the nation from her shed, Byrne confirmed she had tested positive for COVID-19; the result had come as a shock to her as she had not had a temperature and assumed she had caught the common cold—though, as the week went on, her symptoms worsened, she had some difficulty breathing and experienced tiredness.[201] Byrne's diagnosis had been hinted at two days earlier when a then unnamed RTÉ staff member was reported to be COVID-19 positive.[455] On 6 April, Byrne returned to filming Claire Byrne Live in the RTÉ 1 studio.[202]

On 15 March 2020, The Irish Times announced that its building on Tara Street in Dublin would close immediately as a staff member had just been confirmed to have tested COVID-19 positive, though the paper remained in print and its website continued to be updated.[456]

On Wednesday 18 March, Newstalk radio presenter and former medical doctor Ciara Kelly announced that she had tested COVID-19 positive, though she was no longer practising, had taken precautions and had not been abroad.[200] She had continued to present the Monday and Tuesday editions of her programme, Lunchtime Live, from the hot press (a type of Irish cupboard) in her home, and Mick Heaney of The Irish Times described her Wednesday programme as "a compelling show, remarkably so considering it was hosted by an ill woman sitting in an airing cupboard".[457]

Also on 20 March, Ryan Tubridy received a live televised "mock" COVID-19 test on The Late Late Show.[458] Five days later, Tubridy did not turn up for his morning radio show, citing a "persistent cough"; Oliver Callan deputised.[459] Two days later, RTÉ announced that Miriam O'Callaghan would present that evening's edition of The Late Late Show, the first time in the programme's 58-year history that the role fell to a woman, the first time since his father died in 2013 that Tubridy missed a programme and the first time since Frank Hall's short-lived stint in the mid-1960s that a regular host had missed two programmes overall.[460][461][462][463] On Monday 30 March, Tubridy again did not turn up for his radio show, with Callan continuing to cover for him; later that day, Tubridy announced he had tested positive for COVID-19.[464][465] On Thursday 3 April, RTÉ confirmed O'Callaghan would again present The Late Late Show, the first time in programme history that the regular host missed two consecutive episodes.[466][467] On 7 April, Tubridy returned to present his morning radio show.[214]

On 26 March, RTÉ began seeking participants for a planned new reality TV series, Operation Covid Nation, the title of which was based on its weight-loss programme Operation Transformation.[468] Such was the outcry—with people enraged at the insensitivity of the idea—that RTÉ ran a different programme instead, with a different title, and presenter Kathryn Thomas—who also owns a weight loss and fitness business—spoke of her disappointment that "it had nothing to do with weight loss, which we are associated with".[469]

On 9 April, the virus claimed the Fora website, which was shut by the parent company it shared with TheJournal.ie due to a decline in advertising revenue prompting the parent to reduce its costs.[470]

The National Lottery cancelled its weekly game show Winning Streak and withdrew scratchcards from shops.[471] Filming of Fair City ceased, and episodes shown twice weekly instead of the normal four.[472] The last episode aired on Easter Day.[473] TG4, deprived of its live Gaelic games coverage, aired past matches instead.[474] The channel also announced its intention to show—from 1 May—matches from the 1986 FIFA World Cup (including the final and Argentina v England), as well as matches from the 1982, 1990 and 1994 tournaments.[475] On 22 May, TG4 announced another schedule of past football, hurling and camogie matches for the month of June.[476][477][478] RTÉ Sport did similar; after showing every goal scored at the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups, it announced over the Easter period its intention to broadcast classic football, hurling, rugby, hockey and soccer games (including from the UEFA Champions League and highlights of the national team's UEFA Euro 2016 experience), as well as documentaries such as Micko and Players of the Faithful.[479]

Broadcaster Noel Cunningham held the title Donegal Person of the Year for a second year as his successor could not be arranged due to the virus.[480]

The arrival of the virus also impacted regional and local media. On 11 March, Highland Radio announced the postponement of a concert with Daniel O'Donnell, which had been scheduled for 18 March, to commemorate its thirtieth birthday.[481] On 20 March, Celtic Media Group announced it would make staff temporarily redundant.[482] On 9 May, North Dublin Publications Ltd—partially owned by Celtic Media Group and publisher of the Dublin freesheets, the Northside People and the Southside People—told its employees it would be shutting and that it wished to have a liquidator appointed.[483][484] Dozens of new local radio stations sprung up in the wake of the virus's arrival.[485]

The state broadcaster, RTÉ, repeated its epic 30-hour broadcast of the full text of James Joyce's novel Ulysses for the first time in 38 years on RTÉ Radio 1 Extra on 16 June 2020. The decision to repeat the broadcast was partly influenced by the quarantine introduced in Ireland to limit the spread of the Covid-19 virus.[486]

An Garda Síochána (Irish police) announced differences to the way its shifts would operate to allow for increased presence of its officers in public, that hundreds of student gardaí would be sworn in to the force earlier than would otherwise have been the case and that more than 200 private hire cars would be deployed to assist vulnerable citizens in rural areas after being branded with the Garda sign and crest. In addition, a supply of masks would be maintained to distribute within the prison system if inmates showed symptoms of the virus.[487] It also set up a national COVID-19 unit located at its Phoenix Park headquarters.[488]

On 20 March, Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan announced that immigration permissions set to expire from 20 March to 20 May would be granted a two-month extension.[489] He also announced the temporary release of prisoners.[490] The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service on Dublin's Burgh Quay shut due to the virus and applications instead went online.[491] Asylum seekers in the east of the country were rendered homeless after spending time in hospital with the virus; "health sources" informed the Irish Examiner that one man was forced to spend further time in hospital than he needed and a second man was "left to fend for himself".[492] On 18 April, after persistent rumours, an outbreak of the virus was confirmed amongst asylum seekers who had recently been housed in a hotel in the southwestern town of Cahersiveen; management agreed to confine the asylum seekers to the hotel so as to protect the local population, though they had been using local supermarkets and pharmacies before this date, to the annoyance of local business and community leaders whom the HSE had promised it would notify of any outbreak but who did not find out until they approached the hotel.[493] Locals protested, asked for it to be shut and called for an inquiry into how the asylum seekers had been moved there from elsewhere amid a pandemic.[494][495] Flanagan's private secretary wrote a letter to a local politician informing him that those managing such centres had been asked to improve their standard of cleaning.[496] Asylum seekers in Cahersiveen continued to display symptoms and test positive for the virus into May.[497] In mid-May, Minister Flanagan issued an open letter to the people of County Kerry, with particular reference to the residents of Cahersiveen, acknowledging the hardship they had experienced as a result of the presence of the asylum seekers in their town and outlining the infection control measures that were in place to deal with the problem.[498] Local newspapers in the county carried the letter.[499] The letter was four pages in length and the Irish Examiner called it an "unprecedented" apology.[500]

Prisoners were reported to be willing to work with prison officers to prevent their exposure to the virus. Social distancing measures in prisons included visible marks, the closing of gyms and recreation halls, inmates being fed in smaller groups and visits from outside disallowed. Deep cleaning occurred, the plates and mugs were replaced with hot food in single use cardboard containers. Another consequence of the virus was that less drugs found their way into the system, or as one prisoner put it: "It's not only harder to get the drugs in, it's harder to get the drugs, full stop". This was attributed both to the restrictions and the heavier garda presence on streets.[501]

On 7 April, Minister for Health Simon Harris signed regulations under provisions inserted in emergency legislation passed earlier, to restrict movement of persons and the holding of events, effective 8 to 12 April.[502] This move, which Harris confirmed on Prime Time, gave gardaí extra powers to coincide with the Easter period.[503][504] On 10 April, these measures were extended to 5 May.[505] This paved the way for the initial stage of Operation Fanacht.

On 28 April, it was reported that 76 people had been arrested for failing to comply with gardaí policing the pandemic.[506] On 12 May, gardaí reported having had to use their emergency powers on 192 occasions between 8 April (the first day) and 9 May.[507] On 19 May, gardaí reported using emergency powers 241 times between 8 April and 16 May.[508]

On 13 May, Garda HQ circulated a letter announcing the suspension for budgetary purposes of overtime available to serving officers in certain cases.[509]

On the morning of 18 March, masks were distributed to gardaí, with instructions to wear them during time spent in enclosed spaces (such as in vehicles or on public transport) and during prolonged contact with others (though not in the open air or at checkpoints).[510][511]

On 10 June, it was announced that not a single prisoner among the country's prison population of 3,705 had tested positive for COVID-19.[512]

Assaults of coughing and spitting were rife. They occurred nationwide, in the capital city Dublin,[513][514] and were also recorded in the counties of Cavan,[515][516] Cork,[517][518] Donegal,[519][520] Dublin,[521][522] Kildare,[523] Louth,[524] Roscommon,[525][526] Sligo,[527][528] Tipperary,[529] Waterford.[530]

On 23 March, a man appeared at Blanchardstown Hospital, saying he had COVID-19 symptoms and wanted to be tested. He proceeded to either spit or cough at a nurse, who was then forced into self-isolation—it later emerged that her attacker was COVID-19 positive.[531][532][533]

On 24 March, a man and a woman launched a coughing attack into the face of Minister for Health Simon Harris near Government Buildings, his assailants then running off laughing.[534][535][536]

On 28 March 32-year-old Tariq Jagoe from Killiney spat at others on board a Dublin Bus and told gardaí he would give them COVID-19 when they were called to the scene of the disruption at Lord Edward Street in the city centre; a judge cited the virus in his objection to bail and ordered Jagoe to be given a COVID-19 test when he learned that he had not yet received one.[537][538]

Rachel Conway from Caltragh in County Sligo coughed at a garda and was sentenced to 28 days imprisonment, meaning she was the first person jailed for a COVID-related offence.[539][540][541]

Gardaí ordered 16,000 spit hoods (to cover the face of suspects inclined towards these acts), and warned the public that anyone caught would be charged with assault.[542][543][544]

On 28 April, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said that—since 8 April—gardaí had been spat at or coughed on on 31 occasions and that spit hoods had been required on 15 occasions.[545] On 5 May, Harris said that between 8 April and 2 May, gardaí had been spat at or coughed on on 52 occasions and that spit hoods had been required on 28 occasions.[546] On 9 June, Harris said that between 8 April and 6 June, gardaí had been spat at or coughed on on 93 occasions and that spit hoods had been required on 70 occasions.[547]

On 21 March, gardaí in Longford were called to a house where a 21st birthday party was underway to disperse dozens of young people who gathered in violation of social distancing.[548]

A burglary in late-March on the LÉ George Bernard Shaw—docked at Sir John Rogerson's Quay along the River Liffey in Dublin to offer assistance to the Health Service Executive—led to the arrest of a man and a prompt appearance before court.[549][550]

On 31 March, €70,000 of suspected heroin was seized during a COVID-19 patrol on the M8 motorway in Fermoy, and one man arrested.[515]

On 6 April, more than €51,000 of suspected cocaine was seized during a COVID-19 patrol in Waterford, and one man arrested.[515]

An underage session being conducted by the GAA via Zoom was "hacked and bombarded with pornographic images" in early April; gardaí received word of the incident.[551]

In mid-April, Martin Stokes of Clondalkin, who had failed to reappear at court three years previously to face charges of tax fraud dating from 2006, 2008 and 2011 (and to which he had pleaded guilty), was arrested while travelling around during the restrictions in April; the judge refused bail.[552]

On 15 April, 24-year-old Denis Constantin of Enniscorthy in the southeast of the country became the first person charged with breaching the two-kilometre movement restriction when he appeared before a court in Gorey; the judge refused bail after gardaí had twice stopped him while driving over the previous (Easter) weekend in a position that was more than two kilometres from his home: close to Bunclody on Good Friday and close to New Ross on the morning of Easter Monday.[553] He was also charged for driving with no licence or insurance while disqualified. He was jailed for 3 months for breaching the two-kilometre movement restriction.[554]

On the morning of 16 April, a man was arrested and charged following a public order and assault incident at a checkpoint in Muckmoyne, Boyle, County Roscommon; the man would not co-operate and became aggressive, including spitting.[555]

On 21 April, suspected drugs worth €230,000 were seized during a COVID-19 patrol in Limerick, and two people were arrested.[515]

On the morning of 24 April, a man from Ballymun was arrested and later charged with four breaches of the Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2020.[556]

On 19 May, it was reported that a "serial offender" and driver of a Škoda, who continued to steal fuel from petrol stations in breach of COVID-19 travel restrictions so that he could service his cocaine debt, was banned from driving for two years and received a four-month suspended sentence.[557]

On 27 May, four men from Brazil were arrested and charged with two charges of possession of firearms and a breach of COVID-19 travel restrictions. They were arrested at 12 midnight near Clara, County Offaly, while travelling in two vehicles. All four men were brought separately to Portlaoise District Court on the morning of 29 May.[558][559][560]

On 18 June, it was reported that a 17-year-old teenager became the first juvenile to face court charges for breaching COVID-19 travel restrictions. The breaches are alleged to have occurred in Blanchardstown, Dublin, on 25 April, in County Limerick on 27 April and in Clondalkin, Dublin, on 28 April.[561]

A Garda checkpoint stopping motorists on the eve of a public holiday weekend to investigate if any are violating the restrictions on travel

Operation Fanacht (fan-akt; Irish: fanacht, "staying") commenced at 12 noon on Wednesday 8 April and continued until the night of Monday 13 April, lasting therefore for the busiest part of the Easter period.[562] Its purpose was to enforce travel restrictions which had then only recently been imposed to combat the virus.[562] An Garda Síochána described it as follows in its statement announcing the end of the operation: "Every day of Operation Fanacht, An Garda Síochána conducted 150 permanent checkpoints on major routes, over 500 shorter and mobile checkpoints, as well as a large number of high visibility patrols at tourist locations, natural beauty spots, and parks and beaches".[562] Also as part of Operation Fanacht, the Garda Air Support Unit (GASU) confirmed its helicopters were conducting aerial surveillance of locations suspected as being used by large numbers of people while not adhering to social distancing.[563] Gardaí declared Operation Fanacht a success after only seven arrests.[562] One of these was a 36-year-old man who drove from Derry (in the north of the country) to Kerry (in the southwest of the country), his initial purpose being as an employee of a security firm (for which he had no evidence), while his second excuse was the purchase of two puppies; gardaí stopped him for the first incident at Dooneen outside Castleisland and for the second incident outside Killarney. He appeared at court in Tralee and was imprisoned for four weeks.[564]

Earlier, on 9 April, 20,000 unstamped cigarettes worth more than €10,000 were seized at a COVID-19 checkpoint in Bohola, County Mayo.[515][565][566] On 10 April, more than €6,300 of cocaine was seized at a COVID-9 checkpoint.[515] On 13 April (the Easter Monday public holiday), two women raced past a garda checkpoint in Lifford, County Donegal, and headed eastwards across the border. The PSNI seized their vehicle (abandoned near Clady, County Tyrone) and fined both ladies under the legislation, Health Protection Regulations NI 2020 (Coronavirus Restrictions), for good measure.[567][568] In the early hours of 14 April, gardaí in Dublin arrested two men and one woman and seized two guns and €500,000 in cocaine at the conclusion of a car chase that got underway at a COVID-19 checkpoint on the Phibsborough Road.[515][569]

Operation Fanacht recommenced for the May bank holiday weekend, began at 7:00 am on Tuesday 28 April and continued until the end of Monday 4 May. It again involved large-scale checkpoints on many main routes, and thousands of mobile checkpoints on secondary routes and in towns and villages.[570][571] One man was arrested after breaching the travel restrictions thrice on one day of the May bank holiday weekend; after being warned for being in the company of people from other households and while walking elsewhere in the same town, he was arrested after refusing to leave a house party in the south of the country.[572] Another man, who was stopped in Dublin as he set out towards County Meath for a painting job, complained that he "would not be adhering to restrictions from a non-elected government".[572] On the evening of 3 April, €9,000 of cocaine was seized at a COVID-19 checkpoint on the M6 motorway near Ballinasloe in County Galway, and one man arrested.[573][574]

Operation Fanacht recommenced for the June bank holiday weekend, began on Wednesday 27 May and continued until the end of Monday 1 June.[575] It involved scaled-down checkpoints on many main routes, parks, beaches and beauty spots in towns and villages, focusing on road safety rather than enforcing the COVID-19 travel restrictions, after it was reported that sixty people had been killed in 56 crashes as of 27 May.[576][577] Numerous checkpoints were mounted throughout Kerry[578][579], Cork[580] and Wicklow[581] after a number of motorists breached COVID-19 travel restrictions. On 28 May, it was reported that gardaí turned away over 100 cars in County Wicklow.[582] On 29 May, Gardaí reported several vehicles illegally parked on double yellow lines at a beach in County Wicklow.[583]

On 8 February a general election took place in Ireland, before the outbreak had been declared a pandemic or reached Europe. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael began talks on government formation on 11 March prompted by the public health emergency posed by COVID-19.[584][585]

On 20 February, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar offered his resignation to President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin, remaining, however, as Taoiseach in a caretaker capacity until the formation of a new government.[586] President of Sinn Féin Mary Lou McDonald was the first high-profile politician affected by the spread of COVID-19, with her party cancelling events and her family entering self-isolation for a period, after McDonald confirmed on 2 March that her children attended the same school as the student with the first recorded case of COVID-19 in Ireland.[587] While in Washington ahead of Saint Patrick's Day, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced measures intended to stop COVID-19 spreading, including the closure of all schools, universities and childcare facilities from the following day, as well as the closure of all cultural institutions and the cancellation of "all indoor mass gatherings of more than 100 people and outdoor mass gatherings of more than 500 people".[588]

A Cabinet Sub-Committee on COVID-19 was established.[589][590][591][592] It published a National Action Plan on 16 March.[593]

On 16 March, Thomas Pringle, an independent TD representing the Donegal constituency, entered isolation due to previous contact with someone in Dublin and the high risk to his own personal health.[594][595] After returning home earlier than anticipated from his visit to the United States, the Taoiseach addressed the nation on Saint Patrick's Night during A Ministerial Broadcast by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, TD, introducing television viewers to the concept of "cocooning", i.e. "At a certain point… we will advise the elderly and people who have a long-term illness to stay at home for several weeks".[596][597][598] The speech, which Varadkar made under Section 112 of the Broadcast Act, was the most watched television event in Irish history, surpassing the previous record held by The Late Late Toy Show by an additional total of about 25% and was widely distributed globally.[599][600] It was also plagiarised by Peter Bellew, the chief operating officer at British low-cost airline group EasyJet.[601]

On 18 March, Luke 'Ming' Flanagan, the independent MEP representing the Midlands–North-West constituency, announced that he and his family would begin self-isolating after his daughter exhibited symptoms of COVID-19.[602]

On 19 March, Dáil Éireann reconvened under social distancing measures to pass emergency legislation. At the written request of Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl, the sitting was limited to 48 TDs (11 each representing Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin, four Greens, three members of the Regional Group and two members of all other parties and groups). The legislation—Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Bill 2020—passed all stages, and, following requests by opposition TDs, included a sunset provision for review in November.[603] During the sitting, Eamon Ryan called on the Irish to grow lettuce on their window sills: "Let's get every south facing window sill in this country and lets plant our seeds in the next week so that if there is any supply crisis in food in two or three months time when this really hits hard, we'll have our salads ready to go".[604]

On 19 March, it was reported that Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Eoghan Murphy had been in self-isolation for the past week after returning from a visit abroad to see family. Murphy had set off before travel advice against doing so was issued and—while he had "not been in direct physical contact with any colleagues"—he, nevertheless, was well enough to continue his work remotely.[605]

On 20 March, Seanad Éireann—also sitting in reduced numbers—passed the legislation after a three-hour debate.[606] President Higgins wrote the legislation into law later that day, giving the state the power to detain people, restrict travel and keep people in their homes to restrict the pandemic.[14]

On 23 March, Tánaiste Simon Coveney revealed he had tested negative for COVID-19. He underwent the test after being contact traced via the positive result of Claire Byrne, whom he had sat beside on live television less than two weeks previously.[607] It was believed that Coveney was the first member of the Varadkar cabinet to be tested for the virus.[608]

On 24 March, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced from Government Buildings the extension of all existing measures until 19 April—as well as stricter measures, among which were: the limiting of social gatherings to four people (unless members of the same household); the shutting of all non-essential retail outlets still open—effective from midnight—bringing an official end to hairdressing, theatres, gyms, leisure centres, betting offices, marts and other market places, casinos and bingo halls, playgrounds, holiday caravan parks, organised indoor and outdoor social events of any kind, including all sport (some of which, such as horse racing, was then still being held behind closed doors); the limitation of cafes and restaurants to takeaway and delivery services. Varadkar stopped short of calling it a "lockdown", the term used in other countries.[609][610][611][612][613]

At its next sitting—on 26 March—the Dáil passed further emergency legislation—Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (COVID-19) Bill 2020—introduced due to the virus, again with deliberately limited numbers attending, and without a vote.[614] President of Sinn Féin Mary Lou McDonald was absent after announcing on Twitter that she had awoken with a "head cold" and that Pearse Doherty would lead the party instead.[615][616] The election for Leas-Cheann Comhairle (deputy "chair" or "speaker" of Dáil Éireann) was scheduled for early that morning, but was deferred. Taoiseach Varadkar asked Denis Naughten to temporarily fill the role to avert a possible constitutional crisis, with the previous occupant Pat "the Cope" Gallagher having lost his seat in the February general election and the need for a Leas-Cheann Comhairle being regarded as critical should Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl become incapacitated.[617][618] Naughten, a former Fine Gael politician who left the party to sit as an independent, had run against Ó Fearghaíl during the earlier election to fill the main office. After passing through the Dáil, the bill passed without a vote the following day (27 March) through all stages in the Seanad (in its final sitting before counting got underway in the Seanad election which had to follow the February general election), and President Higgins signed the bill into law the same day.[619][620] There followed a paralysis of the national legislature on the basis that the Taoiseach had to nominate the final eleven members of the Seanad, Varadkar (as outgoing Taoiseach) did not have the support of the Dáil (and was therefore prevented by the Constitution from filling the vacancies) and no other nomination for Taoiseach could be agreed upon by all parties in the Dáil.[621][622]

On the evening of Friday 27 March, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar gave a live televised speech to the nation during which he announced further restrictions on public activity.[623][624] He said that all people must stay at home until 12 April (Easter Sunday) from the following midnight[625] with the following exemptions: to travel to and from work (essential work only);[625] shopping for food or household goods;[625] to attend medical appointments or collect medicines or related products;[625] for vital family reasons, such as caring for a relative;[625] to take brief exercise within 2 km of home;[625] for farming purposes, such as food production or care of animals.[625] Department of the Taoiseach official Liz Canavan later clarified that the movement restrictions also did not apply to anyone trying to avoid "risk of harm", including those attempting to evade domestic abuse.[626] All public or private gatherings of any number of people outside a residence were prohibited.[625] More non-essential shops and services were shut, adult community education centres and local community centres were shut.[625] All non-essential surgery, health procedures and other non-essential health services was postponed.[625] All visits to hospitals, other residential healthcare facilities and prisons would cease, with specific exemptions on compassionate grounds.[625] Shielding, or cocooning, of those over 70 years of age, or those regarded as being in specific categories of vulnerable people, was introduced.[625] Minister for Transport Shane Ross confirmed that, following Varadkar's announcement of 28 March, driving tests and NCTs would be suspended, stating that it was "critical that we give drivers as well as operators of commercial vehicles peace of mind in relation to the status of their licence, learner permit, NCT certificate or certificate of roadworthiness, especially if it has expired or is likely to expire during the period of the COVID-19 health crisis".[627] On 6 June, Minister for Transport Shane Ross announced that NCT and DTT service centres would reopen from 8 June.[628][629]

The Dáil met again—one week after its previous sitting—on 2 April again with deliberately limited numbers, this time augmented by a Labour Party boycott—while Mary Lou McDonald's absence continued (announced the previous day) due to her being "under the weather".[630][631]

On 10 April (Good Friday), Varadkar announced that the measures introduced on 27 March would be extended until at least 5 May.[97] On 14 April (the day after the Easter Monday public holiday), President of Sinn Féin Mary Lou McDonald confirmed she had tested positive for COVID-19.[225]

The Dáil's next meeting occurred from 12 midday to 7:30 pm on 23 April (following the Easter break), at which a limited number of its members discussed the impact of the virus.[632] President of Sinn Féin Mary Lou McDonald was well enough to return. She gave an interview to Ryan Tubridy on The Late Late Show the following night, in which one COVID-19 positive person interviewed another COVID-19 positive person for television viewers nationwide.[633][634][635][636]

On 3 June, it was revealed that Minister for Health Simon Harris had self-isolated for several days after developing symptoms of the virus; a test returned a negative result.[637]

Notice pinned to St Mochta's church in Porterstown saying the church is closed

The Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference issued a statement on 12 March, following the Taoiseach's Washington announcement on limitations to public gatherings. Among the pastoral directions given were reductions in the number of people attending congregations to the less than 100 that Varadkar had advised. Thus, Irish Catholics were permitted to forgo the obligation "to physically attend Sunday Mass", particularly if they were elderly or had underlying health conditions known to be worsened by infection with the virus. Bishops advised that members of the congregation should be informed of how they might "participate in Mass via local radio and online".[638] Holy water fonts would be emptied; hand sanitiser made available at each entrance of the church; the sign of peace expressed preferably through other means than the tradition of hand shaking; the Eucharist to be taken in the hand and not the mouth; only one person to drink from the chalice; priests to avail of cotton buds or surgical gloves while engaged in the anointing of the sick; priests to make the sign of the cross over the baby during baptism without touching the child's head; no shaking the hands of the bereaved during funerals.[639]

RTÉ Television started showing weekday morning Mass from St Eunan's Cathedral in Letterkenny.[640]

On 30 March, spokesman for the Diocese of Killaloe (southwest Ireland) Fr Brendan Quinlivan said more than half of its priests were cocooning because they were elderly, including former Bishop of Killaloe Willie Walsh.[641] The diocese also cancelled its annual pilgrimage to Lourdes.[642]

Nearly half of priests in Dublin were cocooned in their homes, including the 74-year-old Archbishop Diarmuid Martin.[643]

A pensioner began a daily protest against the shutting of churches at the closed front door of his local church in Rathcormac (in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cloyne) in the north of County Cork. "I wouldn't be surprised if I'm [still] here on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day," he told the Irish Examiner in April.[644]

For the first time in its 190-year history, the Cistercian abbey of Mount Melleray in County Waterford—whose monks follow the Rule of Saint Benedict—shut its doors to visitors. Fr Columban Heaney—the country's oldest Cistercian monk—died aged 96 but no one from outside could attend his funeral.[645]

Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin told The Irish Times in late-April that there was "absolutely no way" Confirmations or First Communions would happen in Dublin in May and June.[646]

Pupils from three primary schools in Lusk, Dublin, made their First Communion at home with a webcam on Saturday 16 May.[647]

A priest in Tallaght offered Confession in the car park of his local church.[648]

The Reek Sunday Organising Forum cancelled its annual pilgrimage to the summit of Croagh Patrick because of the pandemic, with many stewards cocooning and public health experts advising against the event; thousands of pilgrims still made the climb when previously cancelled due to weather in 2015, leading organisers to request that they respect the 2020 cancellation.[649]

Pilgrims on the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry (in the rural southwest of the country) gathered in search of a possible COVID-19 cure at holy wells dedicated to 6th-century St Fíonnán, who saved his people from a plague, and whose feast day occurs on 16 March (ahead of the earliest restrictions brought in to respond to the pandemic); "We like to take an aul' sup from the well and it's supposed to have some great healing properties", one resident told RTÉ News, another saying: "When I was young I remember a bottle of St Fíonnán's water was kept inside the front door. The older people used sprinkle it on themselves, on their animals and even on their potato garden".[650]

The Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin and Bishop of Glendalough of the United Diocese of Dublin and Glendalough Most Reverend Michael Jackson issued "A Prayer in the Time of the Coronavirus".[651]

On 19 June, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced that all churches and places of worship can reopen from 29 June.[652]

Supermarkets introduced social distancing measures and additional cleaning and disinfecting within stores.[653] SuperValu announced Plexiglass would be distributed to its outlets nationwide; even small shops had Perspex protective screens placed in front of their cashier desks.[654]

Initially, pubs and bars—alongside restaurants and cinemas—were permitted to remain open if they respected the social distancing measures introduced on 12 March. However, difficulties in maintaining this became clear over the weekend before Saint Patrick's Day. On 14 March, Minster for Health Simon Harris announced on Twitter: "Not far from here, nurses & doctors are working to prepare for the impact of a global pandemic. Everyone is working 24/7. This is an insult to their efforts", alongside one video circulating of a Temple Bar pub filled with people singing an extract from "Sweet Caroline", i.e. "Hands, touching hands... Reaching out, touching me, touching you".[655][656] Harris acted swiftly, and—by the following morning—the Vintners' Federation of Ireland, the Licensed Vintners Association and the Irish government issued a joint call for all bars and pubs to close from midnight until—at minimum—29 March. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, a qualified medical doctor, advised on Twitter: "People who have been out this weekend should avoid physical contact with seniors or people with chronic diseases. You could make them very, very sick". Varadkar also used Twitter to reiterate his stance against mass gatherings of more than 100 people and stated his intention to "seek enforcement powers from Dáil/Seanad" if necessary, so as to compel delinquent pubs and bars to shut. The decision did not affect restaurants and cinemas—provided they maintained social distancing—though the Chief Executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Adrian Cummins, called for a shutdown of the country's restaurant industry.[657][658][659] Pubs continued to open though. Niall Collins stated that pubs in Limerick were opening after the official shutdown had come into effect.[660] Rogue pubs continued to operate into April in places such as Dublin (7 and 11) and Cork (including for a 40th birthday party).[661]

Restaurants, however, decided to shut their doors on their own initiative. On 22 March, it was announced that all McDonald's outlets in Ireland and the United Kingdom would be closed from 7 pm on 23 March.[662][663] The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) outlined the impact this would have on Irish beef farmers, as McDonald's is their biggest customer, dealing with 18,000 Irish farms and using Irish beef in one fifth of its burgers across Europe.[664] The day after the McDonald's announcement, coffeehouse chain Costa Coffee and restaurant franchise Subway both announced they would shut their Irish outlets, as did doughnut company Krispy Kreme do regarding its one Irish outlet in Dublin. The Irish fast food restaurant chain Supermac's announced the same day as the Costa and Subway closures that it would shut all its restaurants by the evening of 26 March; it intended the delay to allow emergency services using its facilities time to plan where they would eat, but did say it would shut its seating areas that night.[665] On 22 April, it was announced that Supermac's would begin to reopen 15 of their restaurants, providing limited food services only.[666][667][668] On 12 May, it was announced that McDonald's would begin to reopen 6 of their restaurants in Dublin on 20 May, providing drive thru services only.[669][670] On 27 May, McDonald's announced that all of its drive thru restaurants in Ireland will reopen by 4 June.[671] On 19 May, it was announced that Krispy Kreme would begin to reopen their restaurants in Dublin on 25 May, providing takeaway, delivery and drive thru services only.[672][673]

Major departments stores shut, including McElhinney's on Sunday 13 March,[674] while Brown Thomas and Arnotts closed on the evening of 18 March.[675] The clothing retailer Penneys (which trades internationally as Primark) followed suit the same evening.[676][677] On 6 June, it was announced that Penneys would begin to reopen 16 of their stores from 12 June,[678] with the remaining 20 stores reopening from 15 June.[679] McElhinney's announced that they would reopen their store on 8 June on the same day.[680][681] On 7 June, Brown Thomas and Arnotts announced that they would begin to reopen their stores from 10 June.[682][683][684]

Italian confectioner Ferrero SpA justified its decision to continue making Tic Tacs in the southern city of Cork during the nationwide shutdown by releasing a statement that said: "Food... as per the guidelines published by the Irish Government, falls under the critical sectors that should be maintained during the current crisis". Mick Barry, the local TD, disputed this, and described it as "a joke to say that they are involved in essential food production. No one is going to starve if there's a shortage of Tic Tacs for a couple of weeks".[685]

On 9 April, Debenhams announced it would place its Irish stores into liquidation.[686] In mid-April, the High Court appointed provisional liquidators to the Irish branches of British retail chains Oasis and Warehouse.[687] The High Court did likewise for Laura Ashley's five outlets.[688] On 11 May, the High Court ordered that the Irish branches of Oasis and Warehouse were insolvent and could be wound up.[689]

On 7 April, figures from the IHS Markit Dublin Purchasing Managers index confirmed that business growth in Dublin stagnated in the first quarter of 2020, meaning that the continuous output growth that Dublin had experienced for seven consecutive years ended.[690]

Supermarkets had their busiest period in history, beating the previous Christmas record because of customers stockpiling food before the government stay-at-home order.[691] Kantar reported sales of hand soap increased by 300% and facial tissues increased by 140% in the four weeks approaching 22 March.[692] Kantar figures reported on 5 May stated that people were spending €118 more on average each month, with Super Valu outselling Dunnes Stores in April, and that the previous three months had a 17.2% increase in supermarket spending on the same period in 2019, with sales of ready meals declining and sales of flour and sugar up by 52% and 43% respectively.[693]

The emergence of grass from between the cobbles of Grafton Street in Dublin was attributed to the absence of pedestrians. Film footage of a fox browsing the shop doorways of Brown Thomas before dashing across the street to peep into the (shut, yet advertised as "open") Foodhall of the British retailer Marks & Spencer circulated on social media.[694]

On 4 May, it was revealed by Ireland's agriculture minister that six meat processing plants had been shuttered due to outbreaks of the coronavirus illness,[695] and nineteen more were affected, bringing the total to 23.[696]

On 12 June, The Government of Ireland approved a €50m support package for beef farmers who experienced significant difficulty arising from the economic impact of COVID-19.[697][698]

Countless sporting events were affected by the arrival of the virus. Following the Taoiseach's 12 March announcement from Washington, the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) and Football Association of Ireland (FAI) all immediately announced the two-week suspension of games.[699]

On 12 March, the 2019–20 Pro14 was suspended indefinitely.[700] Ireland's final two Six Nations rugby fixtures against Italy and France were postponed.[701][702] The IRFU postponed the Italy game, scheduled for 7 March, on 26 February. after it met with Minister for Health Simon Harris for an hour at the Department of Health.[703] In spite of this, thousands of Italian fans, who were permitted to fly into Dublin on the weekend of the game, were not checked at Dublin Airport for signs of the disease.[704][705][706] On 20 March, the IRFU announced pay deferrals of between 10% and 50% for staff, including each of its professional players.[707]

On 13 March, Minister for Health Simon Harris said people returning from Spain or Italy would have to "not quite self-isolate" but "restrict their movements" upon returning to Ireland; this affected Tipperary, the reigning All-Ireland Hurling Champions, who had flown in advance to the Costa Blanca in Spain for a training camp.[708][709] Tim Floyd, Secretary of the Tipperary County Board, also contracted the virus but recovered.[710] On 15 March, footballer Dr Jack McCaffrey issued a video message thanking the public for their co-operation, which was relayed by Dublin GAA and media outlets—McCaffrey noting that he had shaven his beard to protect his patients.[711] On 17 March, the GAA confirmed that the opening fixture of the 2020 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, due to have taken place at Gaelic Park in The Bronx on 3 May, had been postponed.[712] Also that day, Michael Carton, the former Dublin hurler who won the 2013 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship, revealed he had been in hospital since the previous weekend after testing positive for COVID-19.[713] On 18 March, the GAA confirmed that its Féile na Gael 2020 hurling and camogie event (jointly to have been hosted by Dublin, Kildare and Meath in early June), Féile na nÓg National football tournaments (jointly to have been hosted by Donegal, Derry, and Tyrone in late June), the Celtic Challenge under-17 hurling development competition and every event intended to have involved academy squads, would be cancelled in 2020 as a result of the damage done by the virus to its other competitions.[714] On 30 March, the Irish Independent reported that Ard Stiúrthóir Tom Ryan had told employees through a conference call that their wages would be reduced by between 10 and 20% for the month of April; the GAA confirmed the following day that the report was accurate.[715][716][717] Former Offaly manager, Fr Tom Scully, who led the team to the 1969 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final, died in Dublin of COVID-19 on the morning of 7 April.[222][718][719] Other GAA figures infected by the virus included Club Aontroma Chairman Niall Murphy (who narrowly survived) and Ulster Camogie Chairman Jennifer Cultra.[720][721][722] Former Dublin footballer Brian Stynes was stranded in Sydney, barred from leaving his hotel.[723] On 14 April (the day after the Easter Monday public holiday), the GAA announced that—following the government's Good Friday three-week extension of restrictions—the 2020 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship and 2020 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship would be postponed "until further clarity on the current situation is available. However, it is the Association's view that it is highly unlikely these will be rescheduled any time before the beginning of July, at the earliest".[724] The Ulster GAA also announced the immediate cancellation of the Ulster Club football leagues, the Buncrana Cup (under-16 Football League) and the Ulster Minor Football League.[725] The Ulster Minor Football Championship was changed to mirror the fixtures of the 2020 Ulster Senior Football Championship, so that both competitions could be played together if a suitable date arose.[726] The Leinster GAA announced that both the Leinster Minor Football Championship and Leinster Minor Hurling Championship would be run as knock-out competitions if they were to occur at all.[727] On 29 April, the administrator Noel Walsh (i.e. "Mr Clare Football")[728] died of pneumonia resulting from COVID-19.[240][729][730] On 30 April, the GAA confirmed wage cuts for staff would continue into May and June.[731][732] On 6 May, the GAA announced that it expected no inter-county matches would take place until October at the earliest and asked all counties to cease preparations until 20 July, while unveiling a COVID-19 Advisory Group whose members included Pat O'Neill.[733][734][735]

On 10 March, Slovakia suspended all sports events for two weeks, 17 days before the Republic of Ireland were due to play the country's football team in Bratislava in their UEFA Euro 2020 play-off.[736] However, on 17 March, the entire tournament—among which were four games scheduled for Ireland—was postponed until 2021 to allow time for the enormous backlog of club fixtures caused by the virus across the continent to be played.[737][738] The play-off against Slovakia was subsequently postponed "until further notice", having previous been rescheduled for June 2020.[739] This absence of fixtures led directly to the end of Mick McCarthy's time as national team manager, with the FAI announcing a surprise early beginning to the managerial tenure of Stephen Kenny—who had been lined up to succeed McCarthy in August following the completion of UEFA Euro 2020—on the night of 4 April.[740] On 17 April, the FAI announced it would be giving candidates for President and Vice-President from 30 April until 25 July—the latter date being the previously scheduled election date— to confirm their nomination, as a result of the pandemic.[741] After UEFA asked for confirmation that countries due to host UEFA Euro 2020 would host the rescheduled event the following year, Ireland reaffirmed its intention to do so.[742]

League of Ireland clubs began to respond to the pandemic in mid-March. On the night of 15 March, Drogheda United sent a letter to all its staff and players informing them it would cease paying them.[743] On 19 March, Sligo Rovers announced it would temporarily make all its staff and players redundant, having already assisted those from abroad in returning home.[744] On 21 March, Cork City announced it would stop paying its players and staff.[745][746] On 16 April, it was reported that players and staff at the Shamrock Rovers club had taken a 25% pay deduction.[747] St Patrick's Athletic announced on 22 April that it had made all its playing and coaching staff temporarily redundant.[748] Waterford players and management discovered on the evening of 4 May that were being made redundant on a temporary basis; manager Alan Reynolds criticised the manner of the disclosure; chairman Lee Power—also chairman of English fourth tier football club Swindon Town—had his son—the Waterford general manager—send an email; Reynolds only found out he had lost his job at his home club when his players informed him.[749] On 15 May, the FAI announced a "a pilot programme for a return to football for everyone" that would allow Bohemians, Derry City, Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers play each other in a (closed to spectators) mini tournament; the four teams were selected ahead of others as they had qualified for European competition and the event would serve as preparation.[750][751]

Many Irish horse racing enthusiasts travelled abroad for the Cheltenham Festival, held in an English town where the arrival of COVID-19 had just been confirmed.[752] At least one Irishman, from the south, tested positive for COVID-19 after returning from Cheltenham.[753] The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) decided that the returning Irish need not self-isolate, not yet regarding Britain to be overrun by the virus to the same extent as Spain or Italy then were, though Tánaiste Simon Coveney admitted that—had the horse racing event been held in Ireland—the government would have called for its cancellation.[754] By mid-March Ireland had become the only major horse racing country in Europe where the sport continued, albeit strictly regulated and behind closed doors.[755] All racing ceased following the measures introduced on 24 March which officially banned all sport, affecting the Irish Grand National which had been scheduled for mid-April.[756] On 1 April, the board of Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) announced the cancellation of the rest of the 2019–20 Irish National Hunt racing season, including its planned festivals at Fairyhouse and Punchestown.[757] On 20 April, the RDS announced that the Dublin Horse Show—scheduled for between 15 and 19 July—was cancelled, the first time this had occurred since 1940.[758][759]

On 12 March, Motorsport Ireland decided that all events until 1 June would not go ahead.[760] Then on 8 April, the Donegal International Rally—the country's biggest event in the sport, scheduled for between 19 and 21 June—was postponed for only the second time in its history (it did not occur in 2001 due to restrictions imposed to successfully contain the foot-and-mouth outbreak in neighbouring Britain).[761][762][763][764] On the night of 5 May, Motorsport Ireland extended its suspension of activities until 20 July.[765] On 19 May, Motorsport Ireland announced the cancellation of both the National Stages Rally Championship and the Irish Forest Rally Championship.[766] Meanwhile on 28 April, the organisers of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship announced that the 2020 championship was cancelled.[767] Only round 1 of the championship, the Galway International Rally took place.[768]

On 19 May, it was announced that the 2020 Dublin Marathon—due to have been held on 25 October—was cancelled.[769]

On 30 March, the European Tour confirmed that golf's Irish Open, down for Mount Juliet between 28 and 31 May, would be postponed.[770] On 7 April, the sold-out J. P. McManus Pro-Am at Adare Manor, and an important charity fundraiser for Ireland's midwest region, was postponed until 2021.[771][772][773]

FIBA—the international basketball federation—postponed the 2020 FIBA European Championship for Small Countries, which had been scheduled for the city of Limerick in June, though offered the rescheduled 2021 event if desired.[774] Irish players based in the Australian Football League (AFL), including Conor McKenna, returned home following the suspension of play there.[775][776][777] In addition, the AFL announced on 5 April that they would not be travelling to Ireland for the planned International Rules Series in November 2020 due to the disruption that the virus had caused to their season.[778] On 11 May, the Camanachd Association issued a statement that it had agreed in consultation with the GAA to cancel the 2020 Shinty-Hurling International Series between Ireland and Scotland, scheduled for October.[779] On 2 June, the Aer Lingus Classic college American football game between University of Notre Dame football and Navy Midshipmen football was moved to America from the Aviva Stadium on 29 August.[780][781][782]

On 19 June, the Government of Ireland announced that all sporting activity in Ireland can resume from 29 June.[783] A fund of €70 million was announced by the Department of Sport to get sport in Ireland restarted.[784]

M50 motorway near Castleknock looking south. At 4 pm on 29 March 2020, almost no traffic to be seen.

M50 motorway near Castleknock looking north. At 2 pm on 11 April 2020, almost no traffic to be seen.

Panic buying of hand sanitisers and face masks ensued as fear of the pandemic spread.[785]

The inhabitants of Arranmore Island, off the coast of County Donegal, entered self-isolation and asked visitors to keep away.[786][787] As of mid-April, there had been no reported cases on the island.[788]

In late-March, all marts were shut as part of measures introduced to combat the spread of COVID-19. However, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Creed said the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine would permit livestock marts to reopen for limited reasons if social distancing could be adhered to. Thus, another first for Ireland, a virtual mart occurring in County Meath, and prompted by pandemic restrictions on social gatherings. Irish agri-software company, Livestock-Live (based in Mullingar), provided the live streaming technology to facilitate the online bidding of farmers, having first introduced its cameras to Carnaross Mart in January 2018 and completed testing of them the day before marts were shut in 2020, giving the Meath mart the advantage over others.[789]

Advice given by the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) on 15 March prompted fertility clinics to shut, causing enormous disruption to IVF treatment. One woman on Morning Ireland compared herself to a horse: "We have been treated like brood mares".[790]

By the beginning of April, at least two dozen agricultural shows had been cancelled—among these were events scheduled for Athenry, Athlone, Ballinrobe, the Ballivor Horse Show, Ballyfoyle, Bandon, Bannow/Rathangan, Belgooly, Carnew, Charleville, Corrandulla, Dungarvan, Ennistymon, Gorey, Midleton, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Nobber, Oldcastle, Riverstown, Scarriff, Tydavnet, Tullamore and Westport.[791] 8 May brought the cancellation of the 2020 National Ploughing Championships, due to have taken place in County Carlow in mid-September.[792]

On 22 March, Wicklow County Council closed all car parks and facilities in Glendalough after crowds gathered at food stalls there the previous day.[793] On 11 April, Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council shut the bathing spots of Seapoint, Sandycove and the Forty Foot to the public "until further notice", having earlier restricted parking at Sandycove, Vico, Killiney's beach and the seaside resort's railway station.[794]

Members of the Reserve Defence Forces were guaranteed their full-time jobs for the first time, as of this pandemic, if required to assist the Regular Defence Forces during emergencies.[795]

In April, the National Lottery extended by three months the time period during which it allowed people to collect their prizes from its Lotto, EuroMillions, Telly Bingo and Daily Million draws, effective from 9 January until 5 July.[796] Scratchcard winners whose games were due to expire in April were given until 1 August to collect their prizes.[796] This was due to the restrictions on travel which prevented people from remote parts of the country going to lottery headquarters in Abbey Street.[797][798] Among those affected were the owner of a winning ticket—bought in Killarney in the southwest of the country—for a draw which had been rolling over since February until it was won towards the end of April.[799]

In early April, the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies—working with Geological Survey Ireland—announced that they had detected a measurable drop in seismic noise as a result of the coronavirus restrictions.[800] Using the Irish National Seismic Network they found that the level of seismic noise was up to three times lower than before the restrictions were introduced.[800]

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus personally thanked Ireland on 16 April after the country quadrupled its annual contribution, to €9.5 million, following Donald Trump's decision to suspend U.S. funding.[801][802]

In mid-April, Traveller groups asked that their members adhere to funeral restrictions after video footage circulated of a large funeral in the midlands town of Birr, County Offaly, at which social distancing efforts were ignored.[803] Armed gardaí—upon learning that 70 people were travelling from abroad—monitored another funeral, that of a COVID-19 infected Traveller, in north Dublin on the morning of 18 April, for breaches of social distancing, and the force regarded as likely the occurrence of violent conduct during and after the event.[804] In late-April, Traveller groups again reminded their members, this time "urgently", not to persist with their attendance of funerals in such enormous numbers.[646] When gardaí learned that a Traveller wedding was taking place in County Wexford, they closed it down one hour before its scheduled beginning due to the lack of social distancing being favoured by the Travellers.[805] Roma, of whom only 5% are Irish citizens and many of whom are known to favour living together in large numbers, also did not always adhere to social distancing.[806]

A noticeable increase in illegal dumping occurred following the virus's arrival on Irish shores. The problem was so prominent in Cork that the City Council appealed for restraint. Other cities badly affected included Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny and Waterford. Meath County Council waived charges at its recycling centres in Navan, Kells and Trim in a bid to solve the problem locally. Louth County Council's mid-April estimate was a 25% increase in illegal dumping over previous weeks.[807] Batteries, televisions and fridge freezers were among items dumped at a local beauty spot on the Inishowen peninsula, a few kilometres from a recycling centre in Carndonagh.[808]

On 17 April, Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty announced that the General Register Office has put arrangements in place for parents to send in their birth registration forms by email or post. Up to then, parents could only register the births of their children by visiting a General Register Office in person, a practice in place since 1864 when the first birth was registered. The first baby to have his birth registered electronically was Aaron Rafferty from Malahide, County Dublin.[809]

21 April brought the cancellation of the annual Tidy Towns competition for the first time in its history.[810]

Following public and political pressure, Allianz, Axa, FBD, RSA and Zurich in late-April offered "relief" to drivers left stranded with vehicle insurance they could not make the most of due to restrictions on their movement.[811]

In archaeology, a drone operator found a previously unknown cliff fort near Lahinch in County Clare during the restrictions; it was later officially added to the List of National Monuments in County Clare.[812]

On 14 May, the Office of Public Works (OPW) announced it would be implementing temporary measures to ensure social distancing at Phoenix Park from the following Monday, as a result of "significant new road safety issues not experienced before" due to increased numbers of pedestrians and cyclists.[813] Also on 14 May, Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council issued a statement saying that a temporary one-way traffic system would be established in the County Dublin village of Blackrock later that month due to the effects of the virus.[814]

On 18 May, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre of the HSE urged people to be aware of Legionnaires' disease which could be caused by bacterial growth on appliances left unused due to the pandemic.[815]

On the evening of 19 May, Prince Charles released a statement noting that it was with "particular sadness that, due to the current public health crisis", that himself and the Duchess Camilla could not partake of their annual visit to Ireland in 2020. The statement was timed to coincide with the eve of the fifth anniversary of his visit to Mullaghmore, County Sligo, site of the death of Charles's great uncle Lord Mountbatten in 1979.[816]

On 23 May, Galway City Council shut down the St Nicholas's market due to inadequate social distancing shortly after it reopened.[817]

24 June brought the cancellation of a UFC event due to have taken place at the 3Arena in Dublin on 15 August.[818][819][820]