A middle aged man was removed from an Irish Rail train this week after refusing to wear a face covering.
An onlooker shared photos of the moment to Twitter writing:
‘I’m on 7pm Dublin/Cork @IrishRail train. I got on in Thurles at 8.22pm, two Gardaí boarded and arrested a middle aged man who refused to wear a face covering (Mask). He’d been asked repeatedly to put on a mask by a member of Irish Rail but refused.’
I'm on 7pm Dublin/Cork @IrishRail Train .
I got on in Thurles at 8.22pm ,Two Gardai boarded and arrested a middle aged man who refused to wear a face covering (Mask) .He'd been asked repeatedly to put on a mask by a member @IrishRail but refused .#Masks #Cork #TonightVMTV pic.twitter.com/q6rvewQ27r— Joe Seward (@JoeSeward1) July 16, 2020
Gardaí confirmed that they boarded the train and removed a man for refusing to wear a face covering.
As of July 13, people are required by law to wear a face covering on public transport in an effort to curb the spread of Covid 19.
Those who refuse could face a fine of up to €2,500 and even six months jail time.
There has been widespread discussion about the policing of the new law.
Antoinette Cunningham, general secretary of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors, told RTE’s Morning Ireland that the responsibility lies with National Transport Ireland, and Gardaí can assist in cases where public transport operators fail to achieve compliance.
Read next: Some of the most popular holiday destinations won’t be showing up on the travel green list
Lead image via Twitter/Joe Seward
