Garda chief to meet media regulator over disinformation following Dublin City attack
Assistant commissioner Paul Cleary said that people 'with their own agenda' spread disinformation about the incident in order to 'inflame situations'. File Picture: Collins Courts
A senior garda boss who strongly criticised online disinformation about the man who attacked gardaí in Dublin on Tuesday is to meet the media regulator to urge greater responsibility from social media companies.
The assistant commissioner for the Dublin metropolitan region, Paul Cleary, said that people “with their own agenda” spread disinformation about the incident in order to “inflame situations”.
Footage of part of the attack and the aftermath was uploaded onto social media, which commentary from various accounts stating the perpetrator was an immigrant or a foreigner.
One post from Conor McGregor said: “A member of An Garda Síochána stabbed this evening, on duty, by one of the Irish Government’s new to the parish imports through its human trafficking racket.”
The post was viewed 300,000 times and liked by over 3,000 accounts.
On Wednesday morning, Mr Cleary said he was very concerned about social media posts and said gardaí had to be on the lookout for any follow-on violence or harassment.
“Unfortunately, we see it every day and we have some people with their own agenda trying to use incidents like this to inflame situations for their own ends,” he told RTÉ Radio’s .
He urged people to get their information from credible sources.
“So it is concerning, and we would ask people to make sure that the source of their information is credible.”
The understands that Mr Cleary has sought, and secured, a meeting with Comisiún na Meán, the media regulator, in relation to the incident and to push for social media companies to do more on disinformation and the dangers than can bring.
It emerged on Tuesday night that the suspect was born in Ireland and is an Irish citizen. He comes from a Pakistani background, with an address in Portlaoise, but is also thought to have an address in Dublin.
The 23-year-old is not thought to have come to the attention of gardaí before this incident.
The injured garda, a young probationary, was brought to hospital, but he was due to be discharged.
Sources said the injuries could have been worse and that his anti-stab vest might have saved him.
The officers, based at Bridewell Garda Station, subdued the man with pepper spray and batons.
Due to the factors in the case, the Garda National Crime and Security Intelligence Service has been brought in to support investigators in establishing a motive for the attack.
It is analysing evidence from digital devices and social media posts and information from family, friends, religious contacts, and associates.
Garda Representative Association vice president Niall Hodgins, who is also a representative for the Dublin North Central garda region, said: “I wish to extend our heartfelt wishes to our injured friend and colleague, and wish him a speedy recovery.
"This young probationary member was subject to a quite terrifying and unprovoked attack, and only for his bravery and that of his colleagues this incident could have resulted in far worse and unthinkable consequences."
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