Kim Young and Reinaldo Seco, the couple behind the Misunderstood Heron based in Leenaun, are already seeing a boost in business following the investment which has seen them introduce energy and waste efficiencies and new kitchen equipment.

Seamus Walsh attended a protest at the hotel on Friday and gave an interview to RTÉ, in which he insisted that local people were "afraid of what they will encounter from now on with every sort of stranger in the area."

Gardaí conducted planned searches on three premises in the Connemara area of Galway on Saturday morning.