Gardaí criticise 'misinformation' surrounding public order incidents in Dublin

These incidents have been claimed by far-right social media pages to have involved an attempted abduction of a child

This is the second time this month that the force has had to issue a statement about misinformation. File picture: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos

Gardaí have hit out at "misinformation" surrounding a night of public order incidents in Dublin.

Sunday evening saw multiple incidents on the Cappagh Road and Cardiffsbridge Road in Finglas after "suggestions of an inappropriate approach to children or attempted child abduction". 

In a statement on Monday, gardaí said that no such incident had been reported to them.

It said gardaí were "very conscious of the volume of misinformation, disinformation and fake news circulating on this incident, and in general, particularly on social media and direct messaging platforms."

Gardaí have appealed to all members of the public and the media to independently verify any information published on social media and/or messaging apps.

Gardaí appealed to anyone who "directly observed any attempted abduction or inappropriate approach to a child, who has direct knowledge of any attempted abduction or inappropriate approach to a child occurring in the Finglas area" to contact them.

The statement added: "An Garda Síochána urge anyone with information relating to any crime to immediately report it for it to be thoroughly investigated by gardaí.

"In emergency situations such as a crime in progress or when urgent Garda assistance is required, members of the public should always call 999/112."

This is the second time this month that the force has had to issue a statement about misinformation .

On August 7, ambulance services were called to a medical emergency near the Saggart LUAS terminal. A man aged in his 30s, was taken from the scene to Tallaght Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. 

However, posts online soon appeared speculating that the incident was linked to immigration and international protection. This led gardaí to hit out at the "misinformation".