Thousands of people literally found themselves on the streets on Thursday evening: they had gathered in the center of Dublin, attracted by the promise of a Halloween parade. It was a hoax!
Information about this so-called event was published on a website and widely shared on social media.
A thrill-seeking crowd gathered on the Irish capital’s main thoroughfare, O’Connell Street, causing disruption to tram traffic until police called on revelers to leave the area.
“Contrary to what has been circulating online, no Halloween parades are planned in central Dublin this evening or night,” police said in a message posted on social media.
“All those who have gathered on O’Connell Street in anticipation of such a parade are asked to disperse peacefully,” she added.
The hoax at least showed “that there is an appetite in Dublin for a real Halloween parade,” local politician Gary Gannon commented on X.
