Support for Galway boutique’s defiant reopening plan

A groundswell of support has grown for a Galway City fashion boutique that plans to re-open in breach of Covid-19 regulations unless large supermarkets stop selling so-called non-essential goods, including clothing.

And Galway Gardaí has issued a reminder warning large retailers of their obligations under Covid-19 regulations, as independent shops that are closed grow more frustrated by the day.

Caroline McCarthy, proprietor of Lanidor, on Eyre Street in Galway, has been inundated with messages of support from retailers backing her plan to ‘take a stand’ against the multiples selling goods in breach of regulations while small, independent family-run businesses remain shut.

Ms McCarthy – who first announced her intention to reopen early in the Galway City Tribune last Friday – said her plight has struck a chord with independent retailers all over Galway, and all over the country.

“We’ve got a massive amount of support. They’re saying ‘fair play – you’re doing the right thing’. You can nearly tell from the tone of the reactions that people are finally getting it off their chests to somebody who understands that their business is closed and how they are suffering, and finally someone is standing up and saying something for them,” she said.

Since appearing in Galway City Tribune, the story has been picked up by local radio stations and national newspapers, while RTÉ Radio One’s Liveline show with Joe Duffy also featured Lanidor’s plan to reopen.

“A couple of emails came into us, and they are pretty heartfelt, you’d have to say. You’d think it’s not a heartfelt subject but it is; it’s people’s livelihoods,” said Ms McCarthy.

Under public health guidelines only ‘essential’ retail outlets are permitted to open.  They are not permitted to sell ‘non-essential’ goods during Level 5. This is to stop people congregating and browsing in order to limit the spread of the virus.

Lanidor said that large supermarkets are flouting the rules, and it has threatened to reopen unless the authorities take action. It has encouraged others to follow suit.

“Why is there such a deafening sound coming out of politicians, and the Department of Enterprise? These stores are purportedly community-based, and are making their money from us as a community and as a country, and yet they’re putting us at risk by opening and flouting the regulations,” said Ms McCarthy.

A Garda spokesperson confirmed to the Tribune that retailers in Galway were inspected on foot of complaints about potential breaches of Covid-19 regulations.

She said: “We cannot discuss or comment on any named entity. Gardaí carried out enquiries following a report of non-essential items being offered for sale by a number of retail outlets in Galway City. No breaches of Covid Regulations were detected.

“The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Restrictions) Covid-19 Regulations 2021 are currently in force. Regulation 12 provides for restriction on ‘Carrying on or provision of certain business or services’, this is a penal regulation. The appended Schedule Part 2 to the regulations, as amended provides a list of ‘Essential Services’.

“An Garda Síochána has carried out and continues to carry out checks in support of Public Health Regulations. An Garda Síochána has published statistics on enforcement measures taken on the Garda website. An Garda Síochána has been consistent in our graduated policing response to supporting Public Health Regulations and guidelines in line with our tradition of policing by consent. This has seen Garda members engage, explain, encourage and, as a last resort, enforce.”

Lanidor hasn’t yet finalised a date for its re-opening.