Ava Romero
The Oireachtas Golf Society is an infamous Irish golf society that made headlines in August 2020 when it was alleged that they had broken COVID-19 lockdown rules. The society, which includes past and present members of Ireland's parliament, the Oireachtas, held a gathering of 80 golfers and diners in Clifden, County Galway, during a time when indoor gatherings were restricted to six people from no more than three households. The scandal, also known as Golfgate, led to widespread public anger and calls for the society to be disbanded.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 19 August 2020 |
| Location | Clifden, County Galway |
| Attendees | 81 guests, including past and present members of Ireland's parliament, the Oireachtas |
| Notable Attendees | Phil Hogan, European Commissioner for Trade; Séamus Woulfe, Supreme Court Judge; Noel Grealish, Independent TD for Galway West |
| Purpose | Gathering and dinner organised by the Oireachtas Golf Society |
| Scandal | The event allegedly contravened COVID-19 restrictions, sparking public anger and criticism from opposition leaders |
| Outcome | The Oireachtas Golf Society was called to be disbanded, and some attendees faced legal consequences |
| Informal Name | Golfgate |
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What You'll Learn
The Oireachtas Golf Society scandal, also known as 'Golfgate'
The Oireachtas Golf Society scandal, also known as Golfgate, was a political scandal in Ireland involving past and present members of the country's parliament, the Oireachtas. On 19 August 2020, 81 guests attended a dinner organised by the Oireachtas Golf Society in Clifden, County Galway. This took place during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland and contravened public health guidelines that restricted indoor gatherings to six people from no more than three households. The event was organised to honour the late Fianna Fáil MEP Mark Killelea Junior.
Among the attendees were high-profile members of the Oireachtas, including the European Commissioner for Trade, Phil Hogan; a Supreme Court judge, Séamus Woulfe; a sitting member of Monaghan County Council, Paudge Connolly; and former cabinet ministers Noel Dempsey and Frank Fahey. The presence of so many prominent figures caused widespread public anger, as it appeared to be a clear breach of the very restrictions that had been drafted by the ruling Fianna Fáil–Fine Gael–Green Party coalition government, one of whose ministers was also in attendance.
In the aftermath of the scandal, there were calls for the Oireachtas Golf Society to be disbanded immediately. Seán Ó Fearghaíl, the Ceann Comhairle, requested that the society be wound up as a matter of urgency, stating that the event had "seriously undermined and damaged public confidence in the Oireachtas". Mary Lou McDonald, President of Sinn Féin and Leader of the Opposition, heavily criticised both the gathering and the government, stating that it had "descended into new levels of chaos". The Leader of the Labour Party, Alan Kelly, echoed this sentiment, saying that he had rarely seen such public anger in response to a political issue.
The scandal also had repercussions for some of the attendees. For example, on his way to Clifden, Hogan was stopped by the Garda Síochána in County Kildare for using a mobile phone while driving. As County Kildare was under a local lockdown at the time, Hogan's presence there was controversial, and it was debated whether he should have been travelling to the county for non-essential purposes. In light of this, Taoiseach Micheál Martin and the Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar, suggested that Hogan reconsider his position as European Commissioner for Trade.
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The society's gathering during the COVID-19 pandemic
The Oireachtas Golf Society scandal, also known as "Golfgate", was a political scandal in Ireland involving past and present members of the country's parliament, the Oireachtas. On 19 August 2020, 81 guests attended a dinner organised by the society in Clifden, County Galway. This gathering took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, when public health guidelines had been issued to restrict indoor events. The story was published on 20 August by the Irish Examiner, causing widespread public anger across Ireland as attendees had allegedly contravened restrictions that had been implemented by the ruling government, a member of which was also in attendance.
The event was organised during a period when indoor gatherings of up to 50 people were permissible, but only when conducted in line with public health advice. However, due to an increase in confirmed cases, more restrictive measures were announced on 18 August, limiting indoor gatherings to six people from no more than three households, with some exemptions. The society's dinner, with 81 attendees, clearly exceeded these restrictions.
The gathering was heavily criticised across Irish society. The President of Sinn Féin and Leader of the Opposition, Mary Lou McDonald, criticised the government, stating that it had "descended into new levels of chaos". She requested that the Dáil be recalled from its summer recess, but this was initially rejected. The Leader of the Labour Party, Alan Kelly, echoed these sentiments, stating that the government had lost the confidence of the people and that he had rarely seen such public anger towards a political issue. Dara Calleary and Jerry Buttimer resigned from their positions due to their participation in the event.
Some individuals attempted to justify their attendance by claiming that the Government was anti-sport and that their presence at the golf function proved otherwise. However, this was not well-received by the public, who were adhering to the COVID-19 restrictions. The Garda Síochána announced on 21 August that they would investigate the event to determine if it breached the Health Act 1947, which had been amended to include public health regulations related to the pandemic. In the aftermath of the scandal, there were calls for the Oireachtas Golf Society to be disbanded immediately.
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Public anger and backlash
The Oireachtas Golf Society scandal, also known as "Golfgate", was a political scandal in Ireland involving past and present members of the country's parliament, the Oireachtas. The scandal was caused by a gathering of the Oireachtas Golf Society in Clifden, County Galway, on 19 August 2020, during a time when public health guidelines had been issued in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 81 guests attended the dinner, including high-profile members of the Oireachtas, the European Commissioner for Trade, and a Supreme Court judge.
The event caused widespread public anger across Ireland as attendees were seen to have allegedly contravened restrictions that had been drafted by the ruling Fianna Fáil–Fine Gael–Green Party coalition government, one of whose ministers was in attendance. The public backlash led to the resignation of the deputy chairman of the Irish Senate, Jerry Buttimer, and a government minister, Mr Calleary. The speaker of Ireland's Oireachtas parliament suggested that the golf society be disbanded.
The scandal threw the Irish government into turmoil and undermined the public health message that it was trying to communicate. The Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, acknowledged the public anger and called the event "a monumental error of judgement". He also stated that the government had "lost its direction" and needed to be held to account. The Leader of the Labour Party, Alan Kelly, said that he had rarely seen such public anger in response to a political issue.
The event also sparked criticism and debate about the ethics of an organisation that allowed wealthy donors to interact with members of the Oireachtas. Professor Gail McElroy of Trinity College Dublin commented on the optics of a "mainly male Golf Society meeting in a hotel. One law for them, and one law for the rest of us". People also pointed fingers at the country's elites, accusing them of exploiting their privilege and receiving favourable treatment.
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![Full report of the proceedings of the Oireachtas, or, Irish literary festival, held in the Round room, Rotunda, Dublin, on May 17th, 1897 : including the prize pieces, now published fo [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41qaVm0pKML._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The society's structure and relationship with the Oireachtas
The Oireachtas Golf Society is an organisation that allows wealthy donors to interact with members of Ireland's parliament, the Oireachtas. The society was involved in a scandal in 2020, known as "Golfgate", where a gathering of 81 golfers and diners allegedly broke COVID-19 lockdown rules. The event included high-profile members of the Oireachtas, the European Commissioner for Trade, and a Supreme Court judge. This led to widespread public anger and criticism from political leaders who questioned the ethics of the organisation.
The Oireachtas Golf Society operates independently of the Oireachtas, but there are concerns about the relationship between the two. The society has been described as "infamous" and "notorious", and its events have been criticised for undermining public confidence in the Oireachtas and endangering public health.
The society is structured with a committee that includes a captain, a former captain, and other leading members. The society's stalwart organiser was the former Fianna Fáil Senator, Donie Cassidy. Other notable members include the former Captain of the Guard in Leinster House, John Flaherty, and the Labour former leader, Dick Spring.
The society's relationship with the Oireachtas is complex. While it operates independently, the society's members include past and present members of the Oireachtas, indicating a close association. The society's events have been criticised for providing an opportunity for wealthy donors to interact with members of the Oireachtas, potentially influencing policy and decision-making.
Following the "Golfgate" scandal, there were calls for the society to be disbanded, with the Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl requesting its immediate dissolution. The society has faced significant public backlash, and its events have damaged the reputation of the Oireachtas. Despite this, the society planned to resume its activities in the summer of 2022, indicating a resilience to external pressures and a desire to continue its traditions.
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The Garda Inspector's response to the scandal
The Garda Inspector's response to the Oireachtas Golf Society scandal, also known as "Golfgate", was to reject any suggestion that he leaked information to the media about potential charges against two politicians for breaching COVID-19 regulations. The Inspector denied that he was the source of the leak, which revealed that politicians were to be charged for violating coronavirus restrictions at a golf society dinner.
The scandal involved past and present members of Ireland's parliament, the Oireachtas, who attended a gathering of the Oireachtas Golf Society during the COVID-19 pandemic. The event took place in Clifden, County Galway, on August 19, 2020, with 81 guests in attendance, including high-profile members of the Oireachtas, the European Commissioner for Trade, and a Supreme Court judge. This gathering occurred during a time when public health guidelines restricted indoor gatherings to six people from no more than three households.
The Garda Inspector's rejection of involvement in leaking information to the media was a direct response to the scandal, which sparked widespread public anger and criticism of both the gathering and the government. The President of Sinn Féin and Leader of the Opposition, Mary Lou McDonald, heavily criticised the government, stating that it had "descended into new levels of chaos." She requested that the Dáil be recalled from its summer recess, but this was initially rejected.
In addition to the Garda Inspector's response, the scandal had significant repercussions. The Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, used discretionary powers to inform the government of an additional breach by one of the attendees, Phil Hogan, who was stopped for using a mobile phone while driving on his way to the event. This incident further fuelled public outrage and led to calls for the disbandment of the Oireachtas Golf Society.
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Frequently asked questions
The Oireachtas Golf Society is a group of golfers made up of past and present members of the Irish parliament, the Oireachtas.
The Oireachtas Golf Society scandal, also known as "Golfgate", occurred when members of the Oireachtas Golf Society gathered in Clifden, County Galway, on 19 August 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The gathering allegedly contravened public health guidelines and lockdown restrictions.
Notable attendees of the event included European Commissioner for Trade Phil Hogan, Supreme Court judge Séamus Woulfe, and a number of other high-profile Oireachtas members.
The scandal led to widespread public anger and criticism of the government. There were calls for the Oireachtas Golf Society to be disbanded, and the event resulted in a loss of public confidence in the Oireachtas and the government. Some attendees, including Phil Hogan, faced legal consequences for allegedly breaching coronavirus regulations.
