Crossword Genius

Copper charges people helping barmen in Ireland (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

curates

'people helping barmen in ireland' is the definition.
(Irish term for an assistant to a spirit-grocer)

'copper charges' is the wordplay.
'copper' becomes 'cu' (chemical symbol).
'charges' becomes 'rates' (rate is a kind of charge).
'cu'+'rates'='CURATES'

(Other definitions for curates that I've seen before include "Members of the clergy" , "Servicemen" , "As ministry assistants" , "Clerics" , "clerical workers" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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