OVER 100 people have been in breach of Ireland's new mandatory negative PCR test rule for arrivals since it was introduced earlier this month, but have still been allowed to enter the country.
Figures released by the Department of Justice & Equality show that there have been 140 recorded breaches of the new rules since January 16 - 110 of which have occurred at Dublin Airport.
All passengers arriving in Ireland by air or by ferry are now required to provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test, which must be taken up to 72 hours prior to arrival - a rule brought in to try and curb the spread of the virus nationwide.
The department revealed that the breaches were a mixture of people bringing negative test results from beyond the 72 hour limit, and others who simply failed to bring proof of a negative result altogether.
Passengers arriving in Ireland without the appropriate PCR test result should have to quarantine, and should also face a fine of €2,500 six months in prison.
If a PCR test result is provided upon arrival, passengers are required to quarantine at home for 14 days, but may stop quarantining after five days if they provide a second negative PCR test once they've arrived.
Between January 16 and January 24, a total of 19,320 passengers arrived at Dublin Airport.
The fact that 110 managed to enter the country despite being in breach of the new rules is anyone's guess.
A spokesperson for the Department of Justice & Equality said that An Garda Síochána are preparing a file for the 110 recorded breaches.
