A desperate sunseeker tried to use a fake employer letter to prove he had a 'reasonable excuse' to go on holiday to Tenerife.
The unnamed traveller was attempting to head to the holiday hotspot from Dublin airport last month using the letter as 'proof'.
The letter claimed the person in question was an essential worker and that he was due to be working at a specific hotel in Tenerife.
They were described in the letter as an: "Electronic Security Systems Provider which is an essential service in Europe and covered by the Irish Government advice of January 24th."
It added that it had been issued by the "Human Resources Department of (company)," and that "the individual will provide an essential service at (hotel) in Tenerife, Spain."
However, Gardai found the letter to be fake, which saw the chancer receive a hefty fine.
Gardai tweeted: "Gardaí at Dublin Airport checking 'reasonable excuse' for international travel were provided this letter, found to be false. €500 (£438) fine issued.
"'COVID-19 doesn’t switch-off so that people can attend parties, or go on holidays, or gather in large groups."
So far 375 fines have been issued at Dublin Airport to people for leaving the country for non-essential travel.
Gardaí confirmed today that over 300 people have been fined for attending or organising house parties throughout the pandemic, while 4,600 fines have been issued for breaches of Covid-19 regulations in total.
