RTE viewers were left divided on Monday night, as Claire Byrne Live decided to run a segment involving a 'Covid time capsule'
Taking place just days after Ireland lifted the majority of Covid-19 restrictions, Claire was joined by a number of guests in-studio to "mark the moment".
The guests all brought something with them that they wanted to put in the 'Covid time capsule'.
The show wanted: "Something that will remind them of the pandemic and the times we’ve all been through as a country. Some of these items our guests may not like to see for a while."
However, with nearly 100 people still suffering in the intensive care unit with the virus, and over 800 still in hospital, many felt uncomfortable with the RTE segment.
A number took to social media to voice their concerns.
One person simply wrote: "That won't age well."
While a second slammed the segment, writing: "A Covid time capsule, it's like a transition year project except its actually a national broadcaster airing this."
Another worried: "It's not over just because government have lifted restrictions. We may be in the eye of the storm."
While a fourth asked: "Why are we acting as if it’s all over?"
An address to the nation from the Taoiseach last Friday confirmed that Ireland would be taking a major step towards "normality".
That included the lifting of the 8pm curfew on pubs and restaurant opening hours, leading to scenes of celebration all across the country on Saturday evening.
Crowds were once again welcomed back to sporting and indoor cultural events too, with Munster being able to allow just over 13,000 fans into Thomond Park on Sunday for their European Champions Cup victory over Wasps.
However, the World Health Organisation is urging people to be wary that the pandemic is not over.
