Cork man says trip to Tenerife while receiving PUP was ‘no-brainer’

He told The Neil Prendeville Show on Cork’s RedFM that he found no problem making his trip from Cork.

Before traveling, Dean conducted a Covid-19 test that he said was required by Ryanair. He was traveling alone because he has friends who are already in Tenerife.

The minibus in which Dean was traveling to the airport was flagged through a checkpoint and, although Gardaí was parked at the point where he scans his boarding pass, he was not questioned or detained.

However, he said other people traveling were asked what the purpose of their trip was.

“I met with some people and they told me that they told the Gardaí they were going on vacation and that was it. No problem.”

Dean said he spoke to a man who has been traveling between Ireland and Tenerife every two weeks to do business and see his family.

According to Dean, Gardaí detained this man and took away his passport details. He was informed that he could receive a fine of € 500 upon his return.

Gardaí can issue a fixed penalty notice of € 500 for traveling to a port or airport without a reasonable excuse, while the penalty for non-essential travel increased from € 500 to € 2,000 earlier this month.

Dean said that while he feels sorry for the people in Ireland who are living their lives under current public health guidelines, his decision to travel was a “no-brainer” to him.

“Why would I stay home listening to how the government constantly instills fear in people’s lives through lies and manipulations when I can be here living off my well-earned Covid money?”

Responding to concerns that many people might be angry that he is on vacation for the past seven weeks while receiving Pandemic Unemployment Pay, Dean said he would be working if he could.

I have had above average income for a long time, I am in various businesses, I have paid a lot of taxes. I was not willing to close my business. I am willing to work. The government made the decision to shut us down.

“I am entitled to recoup some of my losses through loss of income based on the government’s decision to shut down the economy.”

With the construction industry reopening next month, Dean said he will return home in the next few days. He said that he will be tested before he travels and that he will self-quarantine and follow all relevant rules when he returns.

As for life in Tenerife, Dean said tourism has dropped significantly and many of the larger resorts remain closed. He said most of the tourists appear to be from England with some Irish.

Despite the slowdown in tourism, Dean said the beach he was speaking from was quite crowded and he couldn’t get a place to park.

Pubs and restaurants are open with a 1.5m social distancing rule, but there is a 10pm curfew when everyone needs to be inside. The curfew had been at 11 at night, but it was advanced as of today.

Wearing masks is mandatory at all times, even when walking outdoors or in the gym.

“Most people have it under their chin, but the moment you see the police coming towards you, the mask is lifted quickly and as soon as they are out of sight, the mask is lowered again.”

While many may disagree with Dean’s decision to go on an extended vacation, he strongly believes that most people would do the same if they could.