Dublin Airport has responded to claims that people have been using a loophole in Ireland's coronavirus restrictions, after a group of said they'd bought cheap flights to get inside the airport to enjoy a session on the booze.
Pubs are currently closed as part of Ireland's efforts to combat the spread of coronavirus but, because airports are deemed essential services, all their food and beverage outlets have been able to remain open - albeit you have to purchase a €9 meal to be able to buy any alcohol on top of that.
That said, it does offer an opportunity for those cunning enough and wedged enough to have themselves a cheeky pint or two, and one group on social media claimed to have done just that.
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Posting on social media, someone wrote: "When the pubs are closed and the only place serving is the airport, so you book a €9.99 flight (that you have no intention of getting on) to go for beers with the lads, down there for dancing."
Dublin Airport hasn't confirmed that the incident in question definitely happened, but it has been forced to issue a response and threaten punishment for those who do buy flight tickets for the sole purpose of being able to drink in the departure lounge.
A Dublin Airport spokesperson said: "The Government has indicated that the operation of Irish airports is an 'essential service' within the Level 5 guidelines.
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"The provision of food and beverage facilities in the airside area - i.e. after security - to the very small number of people who are travelling at present is part of that service. The operator of the outlet in question requires anyone purchasing alcohol to also purchase a substantial meal at a cost of €9."
They went onto address the group who claimed that they'd been boozing without planning to fly.
"If, as is claimed, four individuals went through security with no intention to travel, but rather to avail of that food and beverage service, that would appear to be a breach of airport bye-laws which state that 'a person may not engage in any activity which jeopardises or interferes with the ... orderly operation of an airport'."
Adding that they would likely face a court appearance if the claim proved to be true, the spokesperson insisted there was no evidence that it had happened beyond a single Facebook post, and pointed out the expense someone would have to pay just to get into the departure lounge.
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"If, as it is claimed, four individuals engaged in this activity and booked flights at a cost of €9.99 each, then each would also have had to purchase a €9 meal" they said, adding, "Therefore, the group would have had to spend €75.96, plus the cost of travel to and from Dublin Airport, before they bought a single alcoholic beverage."
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