LAST UPDATE | 24 Feb 2021

GARDAÍ HAVE ARRESTED seven people after a hair salon in Balbriggan opened up in defiance of Covid lockdown rules. 

C and N Beauty Rooms opened up to the public yesterday but was shut down a short while later by officers. Its owner said she opened her premises as “she needs to put food on the table”.

She had been warned that she could be arrested if she reopened her doors again today.

There was a large garda presence outside the salon this morning as activists turned out to support the salon’s owner. 

Videos shared on social media showed several garda patrol cars as well as a public order van outside the salon. 

Gardaí said a total of seven people were arrested today and one woman was charged.

A spokesman said: “Gardaí arrested a woman, aged in her 40s, in Balbriggan this morning for breaches of the Health Act 1947 as amended. She has since been charged and is due to appear before Swords District Court later this afternoon.

“Gardaí are also investigating a demonstration that was held in Balbriggan this morning.  Seven persons were arrested in relation to this demonstration and associated breaches of the Health Act (four men and three women). Six of these arrests were dealt with by way of Fixed Penalty Notice.

“The other person arrested, a man aged in his 50s, has been charged in relation to this incident. He is due to appear before the Swords District court later this afternoon.”