Large late-night gatherings at Schull pier, nicknamed ‘Club Piero’, have been heavily criticised by West Cork TD Christopher O’Sullivan.

Posting on Twitter, the Fianna Fāil TD said while he didn’t want to be a “party pooper”, people congregating on the pier late at night and drinking need to stop.

“I've received reports of up to 400 people gathering on the pier late at night for "Club Piero" - partying into the early hours without masks and with no physical distancing," he wrote. 

“Under COVID guidelines this is not permitted. Those guidelines are important and protect everyone.” 

Mr O’Sullivan said the issue was having a number of knock-on effects including damaging local business opportunities.

“It's also affecting businesses near the pier, with much-needed guests at venues being turned off by the noise created by the partying in this shared public space.” 

The West Cork TD said by-laws could introduced to stop public consumption of alcohol, as has been done in Kinsale and Clonakilty.

“It is shameful that it might need to be considered because people lack common sense,” he added.  

Mr O’Sullivan also thanked those who gathered the empty bottles and cans from the pier and brought them to the recycling centre.

“Thank you to all the volunteers who put in such an effort to clean up after the party-goers.”