The Department of Health has now admitted that emergency legislation restricting movement to help contain coronavirus does not apply to day visitors from Northern Ireland or outside the State.
The department claimed yesterday there was no anomaly in the legislation, but this evening accepted that people visiting the State - but not staying overnight - are not covered by the regulations.
This effectively means that, for example, people from a town like Belcoo in Co Fermanagh can move about freely in the Republic while those living 500 metres away in Blacklion, Co Cavan cannot.
The Department of Health statement also confirms An Garda Síochána's position that the restrictions on movement cannot be applied to people coming into the State on a