A Galway pensioner who was the subject of a viral pub photo brought an alarm clock with him so he could be home in time for the news.
A poignant snap of John Joe Quinn drinking a pint of Guinness with an alarm clock on a table in front of him set social media alight.
The picture was taken at McGinn's Hop House in Galway and posted online on Monday.
It went viral and seen as symbolic of people's social isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic while others felt it showed that the Government had gotten things wrong with their time limits in pubs.
John Joe argues that the health of the nation is the priority. He said: "To hell with the feckin' pubs, health is more important.
"I mean, if that (coronavirus) spreads again, we're all in trouble.
"I hope it doesn't. With the kids going to school again, you don't know.
"People need to do what they are told. That's as simple as that."
John Joe found the reaction to the picture surprising.
He told the Irish Independent: "How am I famous?" "Oh yeah, the picture. Will I be on the television next?"
The Galway native explained that he wanted to be home for the Six One News.
He added: "I try to get back up here to hear the news. I asked the gentleman in there if I could have another pint if I had time. Because you have to get out at a certain time, and he said 'of course'."
John Joe is now aged over 80 and doesn't wear a watch.
He was grateful for people offering to buy him a pint but prefers to pay for himself.
Publican Fergus McGinn who put up the picture of John Joe had asked him beforehand if it was ok to put out publicly and John Joe was happy with that.
Fergus McGinn, who posted the picture of John Joe, said he did not do it to disrespect the pensioner or his privacy.
He added to the Irish Independent: "This is not something I did in any way to disrespect John Joe or his privacy. We would never do that.
“I just thought it was a lovely image and I asked him could I take a photo. He was happy to do it."
