Social Distancing not being adhered to as reports of sports activities and groups out walking

The message of social distancing  - keeping your distance from others - does not seem to be getting through to people, as online community noticeboards across the county highlight incidents of people out walking side by side or groups playing football.
The Department of Health is advising people keep two metres/six feet apart to avoid any possible spread of the Covid-19 virus.
In Ratoath yesterday evening, Cllr Gillian Toole observed up to 20 teenage lads playing soccer on the sports campus at Jamestown.
“Ordinarily brilliant, now?! Get them home please” she pleads.
Cllr Nick Killian also observed gangs roaming around at the Riverwalk.
Jim Smith of Dunshaughlin GAA said: “Same going on in GAA grounds in Drumree and Dunshaughlin today. Had to have words with a few teenagers. Parents please enlighten your kids as to the consequences.”
In other community noticeboards, people walking in small or close groups are being observed, and others are not keeping their distance. 

Meanwhile, in today's Irish Times, Drumree man Liam Cahill questions Horse Racing Ireland's decision to continue racing.

In a letter, he says "the decision by Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) to continue holding race meetings behind “closed doors” may be evidence that Irish racing takes place on another planet – one that does not sustain intelligent life."

He continues: "In the light of the Taoiseach’s comments and predictions in his speech, this decision appears to be reckless and not in the least public spirited.

"Intriguingly, its decision to tell the industry to work on was taken by the HRI board in the safety of a virtual meeting, held by telephone. Is there one set of guidelines for the industry’s elite and a lesser set for the people who do the work?

"All other racing authorities in Europe have suspended racing. HRI asserts that its decision “is motivated by the need to maintain employment and incomes for people working in the industry”. This is not convincing, since the Government has initiated enhanced, fast-tracked social protection payments for anyone who is laid off work because of the Covid-19 emergency. It smacks more of a desire to cosset breeders, owners and trainers.

Mr Cahill, a former journalist and public relations consultant who has worked in a number of government departments, continues: "The HRI press release states that, “We have consulted with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine throughout this process”. I find it extraordinary that a government department would acquiesce in a decision by a State body that subverts the spirit, if not the letter, of the Government’s fight against Covid-19. Meanwhile, the Government will fork out €67 million of taxpayers’ money to fund HRI this year!"