Gardaí worried online disinformation 'may not actually breach any law'

A former primary school on the Rocklow Road in Fethard, Co Tipperary, was burnt out on January 3. The Department of Integration had no plans to use the building, and gardaí said they were aware of 'possible misinformation, disinformation and rumour' about the premises. 

There is an “inherent difficulty” in tackling fake news and disinformation online which is leading to physical violence and disorder on the streets, An Garda Síochána has said.

This is because the online postings "may not be illegal in terms of content despite it clearly being disinformation", Assistant Commissioner Cliona Richardson told the Oireachtas Media Committee.