The Transport Minister has confirmed the 48 hour UK travel ban is likely to be extended.
The ban on flights and passenger ferries has been implemented in response to the rapid spread of a new strain of Covid-19 in parts of England.
It means Irish people living in the UK that were due to come home for Christmas will now not be able to do so.
Minister Eamon Ryan says the 48 hour ban was brought in to buy the Government some time.
"We like a number of European countries decided to put in a 48-hour ban, first of all, to see how it works. I'm afraid I can't give anyone any false hope that there's likely to be a major change in that."
There was crowding at some London airports as Irish citizens scrambled to return home before the deadline.
Hundreds of people planning to sail from Britain to Ireland on overnight ferries were told to turn back last night
The last passengers and private cars allowed cross arrived in Dublin before the midnight deadline.
Main image: Minister for Transport, and the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD briefs media on Budget 2021 for his department in the Government Press Centre. Photo by: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie 13/10/2020
