Thursday 5 November 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 30114Failure to wear face masks (public health regulation breach) · Co. Clare · 26 Jan 2021

Clare couple convicted over failure to wear face masks at Aldi

Ryan Austin, 81, and Nicky Austin, 76, an Irish couple from Woodpark, Mountshannon, Co Clare, refused to wear face masks at the Killaloe Aldi branch on 26 January 2021 during a national lockdown. The pair were charged with breaching public health regulations. They were convicted in September 2021.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted11 Sep
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The couple refused to wear face masks at an Aldi supermarket during a national lockdown.
Where
  • The incident occurred at the Killaloe Aldi branch, Co Clare.
  • The couple are from Woodpark, Mountshannon, Co Clare.
When
The incident occurred on 26 January 2021.
Other details
The country was in lockdown at the time of the incident.
Charges
The couple were charged with breaching public health regulations.
In court
The couple were convicted in September 2021.
5 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe couple were convicted for refusing to wear face masks (gript.ie)
  • whereThe incident occurred at the Killaloe Aldi branch (gript.ie)
  • whereThe couple are from Woodpark, Mountshannon, Co Clare (gript.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred on 26 January 2021 (gript.ie)
  • otherThe country was in lockdown at the time of the incident (gript.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 11 Sep2021
    Convictedgript.ie, first report
    Elderly Irish couple convicted over failure to wear face masks in Aldi supermarket - Gript

    Reports the conviction of the couple for failing to wear face masks at an Aldi supermarket during a lockdown.

    convicted, Ryan Austin, 81, male, Irish, named, irishRyan Austinconvicted, Nicky Austin, 76, female, Irish, named, irishNicky Austin