A Galway restaurant has moved to take a High Court challenge against the domestic Covid cert on discrimination grounds, raising just under €80k in less than a week.
Owners of the Italian restaurant Il Vicolo on Dominick Street Lower, Galway city, started the GoFundMe campaign last Friday – a mere six days ago – and have already raised tens of thousands of euros.
The fundraiser was initiated after the government agreed that the vaccine pass would be retained for hospitality settings until at least February of 2022, past the previously planned October 22nd deadline.
https://twitter.com/ciaraphelan_/status/1450431022110281735
Additionally, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has floated the idea of extending the pass to settings such as hospitals and nursing homes.
Government wants mandatory vaccine cert for all hospital and nursing-home visitors. CEO Tadhg Daly: "It is about balancing the risk of Covid with the rights of residents to receive visitors." https://t.co/N0Km8NRUJy
— Nursing Homes Ireland (@NursingHomesIre) October 28, 2021
Il Vicolo’s owners claims that because they have refused on principle to comply with the mandatory Covid cert checks, they have been “constantly inspected by HSE Compliance Officers” and brought to court “on numerous occasions,” even having their business shut for several days under an emergency cessation order from the HSE.
“We believe that this divisive law is legally, morally, and ethically wrong,” said the restaurant in a statement.
“It discriminates against people who may not be able to get a vaccine or choose not to get a vaccine. It raises serious privacy law (GDPR) concerns about the processing of private sensitive health data.
“This law is dividing friends and families and risks destroying the entire social fabric of Irish society.”
The statement continued: “If we do not challenge it now the State could use it indefinitely as a ‘tool’ not only against the unvaccinated but also to ensure uptake of boosters amongst the vaccinated. In Israel the ‘Green Pass’ is now only issued to those who take the boosters. This affects each and everyone of us and our children.”
The restaurant said it was “overwhelmed” with the level of support, reaching a total of €79,043 of its €120,000 goal as of the writing of this article. One donor even pledged a staggering €5,000 contribution.
“We have since been overwhelmed with the massive level of support that we have received because of our refusal to comply with this discriminatory law,” the owners said.
“A heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you as it has been truly inspiring to know that our supporters are as committed and passionate as we are in this fight to challenge injustice and inequality.”