Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Debunked: 'No substance whatsoever' to WhatsApp voicenote claiming Ireland is going into 'Status Red' lockdown

The Defence Forces has dismissed the widely-shared message as “irresponsible”.

PastedImage-32020

A WHATSAPP VOICENOTE being widely shared claiming that Ireland will go into a “Status Red” emergency lockdown on Monday has been dismissed as misinformation that is “unhelpful and irresponsible” amid the current coronavirus outbreak.

A spokesperson for the Defence Forces has told TheJournal.ie there “is no substance whatsoever” to this message also being shared on social media.

***

Have you gotten a message on WhatsApp or Facebook or Twitter about coronavirus that you’re not sure about and want us to check it out? Message or mail us and we’ll look into debunking it. WhatsApp: 085 221 4696 or Email: answers@thejournal.ie 

***

The voicenote purports to be someone passing on a message to fellow members of the Defence Forces to “be in the barracks” early on Monday morning.

It tells listeners the equipment they’ll need to bring with them, and says the Taoiseach will make an announcement at 8am.

Following this “announcement” which “came down from HQ”, the army would be patrolling the streets to make sure the public is observing the lockdown, the message said. 

It also tells listeners to “enjoy the weekend” as the male voice signs off.

There is no truth to this message in any way, according to the Defence Forces spokesperson.

whatsapp

What has happened is that Defence Forces members have been told to report to barracks on Monday and to be on standby to support civil authorities. They are under status yellow conditions.

It’s understood that members will be on standby in their barracks to provide whatever support is deemed necessary during the upcoming weeks. 

Members will likely be involved in Aid to the Civil Authority (ATCA) operations, which are nationwide assistance operations, similar to that provided during events such as extreme weather or during the Pope’s visit in 2018. 

Separately, a contingency roster is coming into effect for gardaí next Monday, with a limit on annual leave to no more than 5% of the force at any time, and 210 extra Garda vehicles have been hired. 

Around 325 Garda students at the Templemore Garda College will be sworn in next week, and deployed to Garda stations across the country in the coming weeks. Tutors and instructors at the Garda College will also be deployed for operational duties or essential services.

None of all this means that the country is going to into something called a “Status Red” lockdown.

The Defence Forces spokesperson added: “We stand ready to provide aid to civil authorities within our means and capabilities. Misinformation like this is most unhelpful and irresponsible.”

ETAIMb7WoAI2lE9

****

There is a lot of false news and scaremongering  being spread in Ireland at the moment about coronavirus. Here are some practical ways for you to assess whether the messages that you’re seeing – especially on WhatsApp – are true or not. 

STOP, THINK AND CHECK 

Look at where it’s coming from. Is it someone you know? Do they have a source for the information (e.g. the HSE website) or are they just saying that the information comes from someone they know? A lot of the false news being spread right now is from people claiming that messages from ‘a friend’ of theirs. Have a look yourself – do a quick Google search and see if the information is being reported elsewhere. 

Secondly, get the whole story, not just a headline. A lot of these messages have got vague information (“all the doctors at this hospital are panicking”) and don’t mention specific details. This is often – but not always a sign – that it may not be accurate. 

Finally, see how you feel after reading it. A lot of these false messages are designed to make people feel panicked. They’re deliberately manipulating your feelings to make you more likely to share it. If you feel panicked after reading something, check it out and see if it really is true.

TheJournal.ie’s FactCheck is a signatory to the International Fact-Checking Network’s Code of Principles. You can read it here. For information on how FactCheck works, what the verdicts mean, and how you can take part, check out our Reader’s Guide here. You can read about the team of editors and reporters who work on the factchecks here

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
It is vital that we surface facts from noise. Articles like this one brings you clarity, transparency and balance so you can make well-informed decisions. We set up FactCheck in 2016 to proactively expose false or misleading information, but to continue to deliver on this mission we need your support. Over 5,000 readers like you support us. If you can, please consider setting up a monthly payment or making a once-off donation to keep news free to everyone.

Close
82 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Derek Walsh
    Favourite Derek Walsh
    Report
    Dec 28th 2015, 8:51 AM

    If I like someone enough to give them a present, then I want them to be happy with it. If they’re happier to return, exchange or re-gift it than keep it, I have no interest in stopping them. If I know they didn’t like the present, I’ll try harder in future to get them something more suitable.

    217
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Greg Ward
    Favourite Greg Ward
    Report
    Dec 28th 2015, 8:48 AM

    Of course it’s okay. No point in having something that you won’t use. Plus, if you’re me, all clothes will need to be swapped for a bigger size. Goddamn Quality Street!

    200
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Delaney
    Favourite James Delaney
    Report
    Dec 28th 2015, 3:46 PM

    What a Stupud ? – Only the Journal could come up with such an article.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Gerard Lochlain
    Favourite Mark Gerard Lochlain
    Report
    Dec 28th 2015, 9:11 AM

    Why do some people buy pure rubbish As gifts anyway!!! One4all vouchers Are best option now so u can buy what you want. Personally I always subtly find out what people want/need before I purchase so they’re getting something they actually want. Nobody wants sh!te candles and sprays.

    75
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Devlin
    Favourite Stephen Devlin
    Report
    Dec 28th 2015, 9:15 AM

    Those cards have fees every month if you don’t spend the money.

    49
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ronan Sexton
    Favourite Ronan Sexton
    Report
    Dec 28th 2015, 9:17 AM

    No, those ones don’t.

    54
    See 8 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Devlin
    Favourite Stephen Devlin
    Report
    Dec 28th 2015, 9:25 AM

    2.7 A monthly inactive balance charge of €1.45 (or the credit balance on the Card, if lower) will be charged after the Card has been in issue for 12 months. This charge will start to be applied from the following month and will continue until such times as the balance on the Card is zero and this Agreement is terminated.

    44
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Derek Walsh
    Favourite Derek Walsh
    Report
    Dec 28th 2015, 9:30 AM

    One4All vouchers are just ersatz money. I’d rather have cash that I can spend in any shop, and that doesn’t expire.

    68
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Malvolio32
    Favourite Malvolio32
    Report
    Dec 28th 2015, 9:42 AM

    Stephen, the main point you left out in your first post was that the deductions don’t start for 12 months. I don’t think it’s unreasonable.

    62
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Gerard Lochlain
    Favourite Mark Gerard Lochlain
    Report
    Dec 28th 2015, 9:42 AM

    No fees on those cards!! I have several in my wallet that I use from time to time on clothes usually!! You have to use the card within 12 months before any charge is applied! I would assume most people use their vouchers within a year!!! I certainly would!!!

    59
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Devlin
    Favourite Stephen Devlin
    Report
    Dec 28th 2015, 11:07 AM

    Malvolio that’s why I posted the second one so there would be no ambiguity

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dan Broderick
    Favourite Dan Broderick
    Report
    Dec 28th 2015, 11:31 AM

    Gift voucher givers are tossers

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jay Orr
    Favourite Jay Orr
    Report
    Dec 28th 2015, 11:36 AM

    That’s after 12 months .. Most vouchers are not valid at all after 12 months!

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Delaney
    Favourite James Delaney
    Report
    Dec 28th 2015, 3:47 PM

    NOTE – An Post deduct €1.45 for every month the 1for all voucher is unused – Robbers.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ron Burgundy
    Favourite Ron Burgundy
    Report
    Dec 28th 2015, 9:11 AM

    Gift voucher all the way.

    67
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Malachi Shanks
    Favourite Malachi Shanks
    Report
    Dec 28th 2015, 9:25 AM

    Re-gift the crap !

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Charlie Melia
    Favourite Charlie Melia
    Report
    Dec 28th 2015, 9:17 AM

    I suppose I’m a bit old school. I don’t really care what people give to me. Its the fact they went out of their way and bought or made something for me. So no I wouldnt return what they bought or made….. Its also the reason I toss gift vouchers in the bin….. If I mean so little that I’m not worth any effort at all, then the gift isnt worth anything to me either…..

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ron Burgundy
    Favourite Ron Burgundy
    Report
    Dec 28th 2015, 9:30 AM

    Stop talking scutter.

    73
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Demise Grad
    Favourite Demise Grad
    Report
    Dec 28th 2015, 9:33 AM

    Charlie I know many people who prefer gift vouchers. If you don’t know what somebody needs or likes it’s a way of ensuring they are happy with whatever they get. If you give a voucher you are basically saying let me pay for something you really want. That’s based on caring. If you didn’t care you wouldn’t be offering to buy anything. Receiving a gift doesn’t mean any effort went in or thought. I know someone who picked something they liked and gave that same thing to all couples they had to buy for. There’s no effort in that. A voucher is no less effort than that. The thing is sometimes you don’t know persons size/style or even if you ask they say they don’t want anything. Throwing out people’s hard earned money because they gave you a voucher is a much worse thing to do that giving a voucher in the first place.

    70
    See 5 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Suzie Sunshine
    Favourite Suzie Sunshine
    Report
    Dec 28th 2015, 9:37 AM

    Give the vouchers to someone else , give them to a charity or a homeless person but to throw them in the bin is just pathetic .

    94
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Gerard Lochlain
    Favourite Mark Gerard Lochlain
    Report
    Dec 28th 2015, 9:43 AM

    FFS Charlie are you mad??

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gary Comerford
    Favourite Gary Comerford
    Report
    Dec 28th 2015, 11:05 AM

    Your an idiot

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lurfic
    Favourite Lurfic
    Report
    Dec 28th 2015, 11:37 AM

    Haha the irony of saying that the one gift that has a clear monetary value is worth nothing..

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eugene Comaskey
    Favourite Eugene Comaskey
    Report
    Dec 28th 2015, 2:14 PM

    Charlie, half of your story is correct, the first half, for the second half, well., well.!!!!!!

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute GameOverMan
    Favourite GameOverMan
    Report
    Dec 28th 2015, 10:39 AM

    So long as its not a kidney…that’d be rude

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Adam Fox
    Favourite Adam Fox
    Report
    Dec 28th 2015, 9:20 AM

    Socks, hankerchiefs and bath-sets should all be returned…

    …For cigarette money!!

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eugene Comaskey
    Favourite Eugene Comaskey
    Report
    Dec 28th 2015, 2:12 PM

    It would be better if people just stopped giving gifts because as far as I can see a lot of people are ungrateful nowadays . Most people will keep a receipt and then it is fairly easy to change if a size is wrong or something. To give a gift back, to me that would be very ungrateful. I wouldn’t do that to anyone.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe Bloggs
    Favourite Joe Bloggs
    Report
    Dec 28th 2015, 11:40 AM

    Gift vouchers are the greatest load of cobs! Not all stores accept them, some have an expiry date and others lose value over time if unused. Who needs that sh 1t.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Deborah Behan
    Favourite Deborah Behan
    Report
    Dec 28th 2015, 12:34 PM

    I’ll take it! My sister got me an expensive handbag that I would never be seen in public with, neither would a pensioner! It will be getting exchanged!!! Crocodile skin! Ugh!

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Scorpionvenomm
    Favourite Scorpionvenomm
    Report
    Dec 28th 2015, 1:01 PM

    Lol

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jack Bowden
    Favourite Jack Bowden
    Report
    Dec 28th 2015, 9:59 AM

    No. You can’t do that. You can’t go and ask someone for the receipt so you can get money.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute FlopFlipU
    Favourite FlopFlipU
    Report
    Dec 28th 2015, 9:45 AM

    Poor charlie ,needy are we tut tut

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pat Butler
    Favourite Pat Butler
    Report
    Dec 28th 2015, 9:12 AM

    Save yourself the bother. Don’t buy presents ever

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds