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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.
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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
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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.
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.”
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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
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Imagine if they never existed, and Dublin City Council applied for planning to build them now, there would be people on the streets complaining that they will destroy the Dublin skyline! I guess people just don’t like change!
They have a history. They deserve their place. Seeing them towers when you fly back into Dublin is a good feeling. They’re a beacon for home. The cynics want them destroyed.
If they were building them nowadays the protesters would be out calling them a blot on the landscape.
Just because the pig-ugly things happen to be old some people decide that they are pretty.
Yay. Like it or lump it they are a much recognised part of the Dublin skyline. Sure they aren’t the prettiest things but it seems it’ll be a long time before we move away from the low rise bland – o – boxes we currently build.
This is the problem in this country. We will fight to save chimneys and to have tall buildings blocking out the sun but when it comes to the beautiful environment all around us we fail to see the true gift that we have
Poolbeg “towers”? They’re chimneys.. And they’re an eyesore. We should get rid of them and build a 300 ft statue similar to the one guarding Braavos harbour in Game of Thrones. Perhaps of a hurler brandishing a hurley or simply Roy Keane with his arms folded looking miffed.
Yes, now that would be money well spent.
I’m not from Dublin so I have no idea what the attraction is but anyone visiting the city they are a disgusting eyesore. It seems to be a Dublin trait tho, why else would Liberty Hall, the Heineken building and the rest of those monstrosities be standing. I was down beside Dublin Castle last night, seriously what other capital city would allow such a modern eyesore to be built at its gate beside City Hall.
Liberty Hall just needs a decent face lift. Solved
Looks to me like they ruin every one of those pictures. Far more beautiful bay without them.
They are a quintessential part of Dublin. They are our twin towers. There isn’t a more beautiful sight than seeing those chimneys as you come back home to land at Dublin airport.
Dublin bay itself is pretty impressive when landing as is howth
Not those towers
Yeah I am starting the paint fund next week if all 1.2 million dubliners and dublin commuters give a euro each we should have enough to get the scaffolding out and a nice bit of paint to freshen them up a bit.
You’d be doing well to get the scaffold built for 1.2 million. I’d imagine they’ll be painted by rope access though.
Just two decaying old industrial chimneys. Do we have to keep everything that’s old?
I don’t know of any other city which wants to hang onto eyesores like this – of no historical (or other) significance.
Badly stuck for scenery in Dublin if two chimney towers are all the rage.
Why can’t we have buildings that tall?
Everyone saying that the towers area eye sore cope on they have mean there more the 30 years and anyway what about that monstrosity on O’Connell street but that represents what Dublin has become a massive hypodermic needle
Hideous things… Tear them down. :)
I’d love to climb them, I wonder if they would let me?
I can assure you they won’t!! I’ve worked in the power station and every time I’m there I think about climbing them. The view would be incredible. Unfortunately the ladders only start about 20 metres off the ground to stop people climbing them. Hopefully the company I work for gets the painting contract!!
I work for ESB networks and have a 20 meter hoist that will get us up to the ladders I’ll meet you there in the morning bring your camera.
Sound. I’ll get started on a method statement …. ya know, just in case.
Well taken photos, but they’re just two big ugly industrial looking chimneys. I’m not a Dub though so maybe I wouldn’t understand.
I’m a Dub and I don’t really get it.
Two very decent chimneys. Im not a chimney man but for those chimney lover’s out there may I suggest any industrial Russian city, Germanys Ruhr, or closer to home middelsboro in north east england for a far larger selection of Industrial chimneys. Or for those on a budget a trip to lanesboro in county longford where an almost identical Chimney treat awaits.
Wind Turbines would suit that site.
(Queue the luddites who love the the long dead past.)
Wind turbines don’t suit any area. I’m saying that because I’m a Luddite, quite the opposite. They’re massively inefficient. I’d rather the existing power station turned nuclear.
James Shelley’s pic is great.
God, those chimneys are ugly. I remember when they built the second.
From memory the I original plan was for 4 of them!
Worked down there years ago … Some sight when your standing beside them one is a foot taller that other 680ft v 681 one looks much bigger looking up as it is thicker… Originally the red and white stripes were painted by travelling up inside the towers in a lift during construction and out over the top in harness (allegedly )!!!! I hear insurance is a big problem re the re painting etc either way some sight
I’m not from Dublin so I suppose I must tread carefully as it doesn’t affect me directly but I would hate to have to look at these things every day. I can’t understand people’s affection for them. Personally, I’d knock them and never look back.
have your say