Further 18 COVID-19 deaths reported
A further 18 COVID-19 patients have died taking the death toll in the Republic to 1,102.
Some 386 new cases have been confirmed taking the total 19,648.
It comes as the Health Minister Simon Harris warned that there will be no "big bang moment" with services reopening on May 5th.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said he is now “more firmly of the view” that if he was deciding what to do with restrictions today, he would not lift them.
Gardaí are investigating after two women died and two men were hospitalised at a hostel in County Offaly.
Investigators were called to the hostel in Tullamore town yesterday after a 44-year-old woman was found in an unresponsive condition. She was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.
This morning, emergency services were called to the hostel again to treat a woman in her late teens. She was pronounced dead a short time later.
Both bodies have been removed to the mortuary at Tullamore Hospital where post-mortem examinations will be carried out.
The President Michael D Higgins has led tributes to the poet Eavan Boland who has died at the age of 75.
Ms Boland died at her home in Dublin today after suffering a stroke.
In a statement, President Higgins said Ireland had lost “not only an internationally acclaimed poet, distinguished academic and author, but one of the most insightful inner sources of Irish life, not only in life as expressed but as sensed and experienced.”
“It was her particular gift to reveal the beauty in the ordinary,” he said.
Nine out of ten restaurants face permanent closure
The Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) says 120,000 jobs are at risk in the sector in the months ahead due to the coronavirus.
It has launched a nine-point recovery plan for the Irish restaurant sector.
Over 90% of restaurants are currently closed here.
The association has outlined immediate supports it says are needed to help its members.
Major COVID-19 enforcement operation to get underway
Gardaí will tomorrow begin a major operation to ensure compliance with COVID-19 restrictions through the Bank Holiday weekend.
Operation Fanacht will see over 2,500 officers on duty at all times from 7am tomorrow until next Monday night.
The operation will see large-scale checkpoints on the country’s major roadways and thousands of mobile checkpoints in towns, villages and on smaller routes.
There will also be high visibility patrols at major tourist locations, parks and natural beauty spots.
