[ZeroHedge] ....Like other EU members, Ireland's strict response to the virus suppressed cases quickly after an initial outbreak, but as life begins the steady return to normal, cases have bounced back slightly, reviving the public's fervent support for the rules, and their fury with anybody - particularly those in positions of power - who flouts what is widely seen as a patriotic duty, although it probably wasn't masks alone that helped Ireland overcome the first wave.
In keeping with that spirit, a major political scandal in Ireland erupted this week when the country's top government officials was outed for attending a formal dinner where social distancing rules - including mask wearing and restrictions on crowd sizes - weren't enforced.
But the issue continues to escalate. Ireland's national police force confirmed Friday night that it was "investigating an event" held in the city of Galway on Wednesday evening that may have breached coronavirus-related health laws - an obvious reference to the parliamentary Oireachtas Golf Society dinner which was held at a hotel in Galway.
Minister for Agriculture Dara Calleary - who was in his job barely a month - has resigned, as has the vice chair of Ireland's upper house, Jerry Buttimer.
The day before the dinner, the government ratcheted up the restrictions on indoor gatherings to just six people, while Weddings and some cultural events, including plays and concerts, could be attended by up to 50 people. The rules created some confusion, but there was little doubt that the Oireachtas Golf Society dinner was in poor taste.
My father died from cancer during lock down. Visiting him in hospital with any regularity was VERY difficult. We were allowed no more than TEN people at his funeral. The attendees of #golfgate dinner make a mockery of the sacrifices made during the pandemic.
— Will Murphy (@Yuphrum) August 22, 2020
Per local media reports, the event space originally included a partition to separate the group and keep numbers in each section to below 50, but they were apparently removed for the speeches at the event, resulting in the rules being broken. 81 people reportedly attended the dinner.
Dara Calleary has resigned as agriculture minister after only a month in the job.....