The warning comes after a busy weekend.

While Ireland is slowly gathering pace towards its summer reopening – including a return to outdoor dining, pints al fresco, gyms, weddings, hotels and cinemas – Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has reminded the public that such plans still hang in the balance.

Large crowds gathered in the warm weather over the past weekend, causing some to speculate that Covid-19 cases might increase.

Speaking on the matter, the Fine Gael leader said that local lockdowns “are a policy option if we have an outbreak in a particular area.” While he acknowledged the possibility of local lockdowns, he also conceded that they might not be very effective in actually curtailing the spread of the virus.

Varadkar said: “We’ve had mixed results with them in the past unfortunately, the one in Kildare and the midlands worked, others didn’t, really.” Last year, local lockdowns were imposed on Kildare, Laois and Offaly, and Varadkar has confirmed that such measures are “in the government’s plan.”

Large gatherings of people could be seen in Cork City this weekend, at such spots as Kennedy Quay, Oliver Plunkett Street and on the Grand Parade.