John Joe Quinn, a pensioner who went viral online this week, believes the pubs should not reopen yet.
The 82-year-old was pictured drinking a pint in McGinn’s Hop House in Galway with an alarm clock on the table.
He brought an alarm clock with him as he wanted to make sure he didn't outstay his allotted time in the pub.
The photo set social media alight, with John Joe even making it into The New York Times.
Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast with Susan Keogh today, Joe Joe said he didn't know what all the fuss was about.
He said he doesn't have "a watch or computers or anything like that", and has "the house phone but no mobile phone", which was why he brought the alarm to the pub.
He said: "I'm an ordinary, plain guy and I like to do what I always do."
John Joe said he was "surprised" at all the attention he got since the photograph was posted online.
He added: "A lot of people pulled me up in the shopping centre, I didn't even know, people I've never seen in my life, congratulating me."
He said he used to work for 47 years in the storage department in University Hospital Galway but is enjoying retirement now.
He enjoys getting out for a bit of exercise, which he thinks is important, and is lucky to have "good neighbours around the place".
On a normal day, he said he likes to listen to radio, and he couldn't believe it when he heard presenters "talking the other day about the man in the pub".
He said: "I thought where is this coming from, everything is a surprise to me."
McGinn’s pub has since been inundated with people asking to buy John Joe a pint but he said he doesn't want to take up offers of free drinks.
He told the owner he will "call down to see him next week".
Since the pandemic has struck, John Joe said he followed public health advice and stayed at home.
He said: "I just did what the doctors said, they know best, and stayed in.
"They didn't spend seven years in college talking about the weather, they know what they're talking about."
John Joe said it it was important to "do what we're told" and he is hopeful that COVID-19 "might wear off yet".
On whether the pubs should reopen as planned on September 21st, he said: "I think they should keep them closed for another month and see how we get on.
"It's an awful scourge but what can we do.
"I'm not a man for drinking I just like a pint now and then.
"When I get my pension I'd go for a pint but that's it.
"I wouldn't be a man for drinking all day."
John Joe added that his drink of choice, a pint of Guinness, is good for you, "as long as you don't go overboard".
