A big crowd of individuals have been duped into lining the streets of Dublin for a Halloween parade that didn’t exist.
Spectators turned out in drive to look at the obvious procession within the Irish capital on Thursday night time – till they have been advised there had by no means been any plans for one to be held.
It got here after a web site posted a parade could be happening within the metropolis from 7pm. It seems the claims have been then unfold additional on social media, together with websites akin to TikTok.
Irish police dispersed the group after interesting for these within the space to go away.
A Gardai assertion on X stated: “Please be suggested that opposite to info being circulated on-line, no Halloween parade is scheduled to happen in Dublin Metropolis Centre this night or tonight.
“All those gathered on O’Connell Street in expectation of such a parade are asked to disperse safely.”
Commentators on-line joked that the occasion was a “ghost parade”.
Irish politician Gary Gannon stated “hundreds” had turned out – however added it confirmed there was “an appetite in Dublin for a well-organised annual Halloween parade”.
One other X consumer added: “This is just Halloween, now think of how many people are fed with misinformation online on other issues.”
Regardless of the “hoax”, many who attended appeared to see the humorous facet.
A social media consumer stated his daughter was among the many crowd and had described it as “the best atmosphere”.
“[She] said it was great fun and so friendly,” he added.
Galway arts firm Macnas held a parade round Halloween in Dublin in 2023, however had not deliberate to repeat it this yr.