The men’s legal representatives said their clients had complied with the regulations at all times during the two-day outing.
Mr Cole said the legislation then provided that an event organiser was “a person who is engaged in publishing, arranging, organising or managing an event”. He said it was the State’s case that all four accused had organised the event.Colm Smyth SC, for Mr Cassidy, of the Square, Castlepollard, Co Westmeath, said his client was “a law-maker and not a law-breaker” and that the guidelines issued to hotels at the time were implemented.
Mr Smyth said the 80 people invited to the dinner were accommodated in two rooms. Referring to a copy of the guidelines handed into court, he said it permitted multiple gatherings provided distancing protocols were adhered to., a founding member or the society, and had not been a “frivolity”. He accused the media of “whipping up” hysteria and said “a lot of good people” had to resign from positions as a result of the outcry over the event.
Michael McDowell SC, for Mr Grealish, of Carnmore, Co Galway, said the society outing was a two-day event. He said his client, as captain, was responsible for the first day, which did not involve a dinner.