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For Michael Morrissey, a trip across the Irish Sea for the sad occasion of his sister’s funeral became even more difficult when his flight home was canceled.
On Sunday, the Irish government joined other EU nations in Ban internal travel from Great Britain., amid widespread concern over the spread of new variant of coronavirus. It spoiled the Christmas travel plans for many thousands of the nearly 400,000 members of the Irish expat community living in Britain.
However, two repatriation flights were arranged for around 350 Irish residents who, for various reasons, had been in Britain when the ban was suddenly announced.
Michael Morrissey needed to get home after his sister’s funeral
Mr. Morrissey, from Kilmeaden in Co Waterford, spoke of his relief at home.
Better known as “MJ,” he said: “The funeral was yesterday. I received a few hours notice Sunday night that the flights were canceled. Thank God I was able to catch this flight, so I’m relieved to get to home now.”
A funeral also brought Sherron St Clair from Co Wicklow to England. Once again, his family’s grief was compounded by the abrupt cancellation of his travel plans.
“We had originally booked our flight back for tonight, but then they canceled it due to the COVID mutation, and we’ve only been trying to get home,” the Greystones resident said.
“We are grieving and we just need to be home.”
Ms St Clair said she now intended to honor the Irish government’s request that passengers from Britain isolate themselves for 14 days, adding: “We actually spent 14 days before the funeral. We have. been taking it very seriously. “
Sherron St Clair also had funeral plans thrown into chaos by prohibition.
Saffron Werfelli, her mother Caroline and their young son Alex were also aboard the Ryanair FR520 from Stansted and were making their way through the nearly empty arrivals hall at Dublin Terminal 1.
“There were tears of relief, now we are all excited,” Werfelli said.
She told Sky News the moment the family heard that they had secured spots on the repatriation flight.
The Werfelli family were some of the few passengers who made it to Dublin.
Alex said she was crying because she “really misses” her dad “a lot” and Ms. Werfelli explained that she didn’t think she would be coming home to see her dad for Christmas.
Another flight, operated by Aer Lingus, also landed in Dublin last night after traveling from Heathrow.
The Irish government has said that a limited number of repatriation flights will continue throughout the ban on travel to Britain, which it extended until December 31 yesterday despite a call from the European Commission for member states to abandon the general prohibitions.
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Ireland has made its own decision on a travel ban with the UK.
Werfelli said his family doesn’t care about politics.
“We will have to get tested and self-quarantine when we get back,” he said.
Caroline interrupted her daughter: “But we’re home. And that’s all that matters.”
