The Garda Síochána has issued a public appeal for caution and vigilance regarding information shared on social media and messaging apps following a recent incident at a Dublin school. This comes in response to a surge of misinformation spreading online, particularly from far-right accounts, falsely claiming the involvement of an adult migrant wielding a knife.
In an official statement, the Gardaí firmly refuted these false narratives, clarifying that all individuals involved were school students and Irish nationals. They emphasized that the incident took place within the school premises and did not involve any adult male, contrary to the rumours circulating on social media.
Local Garda officers are working closely with the management of the secondary school where the incident occurred, and additional guidance has been sought from the Director of the Garda Youth Diversion Programme. Authorities are focusing on appropriate interventions for the young people involved.
The Garda statement highlighted concerns about the growing prevalence of misinformation surrounding the incident, particularly on social media platforms and direct messaging apps. An Garda Síochána is very conscious of the volume of misinformation and fake news in circulation regarding this incident,” the statement read.
In light of this, the Gardaí have strongly urged the public and media outlets to independently verify any information before sharing or publishing it. They underscored the importance of fact-checking in an era where false information can rapidly spread through digital channels.
As the investigation continues, authorities are calling for calm and discretion, reminding the public of the importance of relying on official sources for accurate details regarding the incident.
