Some bookies will be defying the law and remaining open even though they cannot openly legally for another fortnight, according to the Irish Bookmakers Association. While leading bookmaker Paddy Power said it does not plan to reopen its betting shops until June 29, some bookies plan to stay open as the association pleads its case with Government after it emerged that bookies are not considered non-essential retail shops as they had believed. Sharon Byrne, chair of the Irish Bookmakers Association representing more than 800 independent and corporate bookies nationwide, said that while the majority of her members will stay closed, others are planning to stay open in defiance of the guidelines. “I think we have a fair case to make for them to reconsider,” she told Independent.ie. But it emerged that bookies along with cinemas, discos and nightclubs cannot re-open until June 29 as part of a public health statutory instrument published last week, Ms Byrne said.

Source: Irish Independent June 16, 2020 19:30 UTC