A Halloween prank in Dublin’s O’Connell Street took a turn for the worse after a Pakistan-based website creator, who had advertised a non-existent Halloween parade, issued a public apology for spreading misinformation.
Thousands of people flocked to O’Connell Street on October 31st, eager to participate in a fun-filled Halloween parade. However, their excitement turned to disappointment when they learned that the event was never going to happen. The news came from Garda (Irish Police) and other sources, leaving many bewildered and frustrated.
The website, which promoted the fake parade, is maintained by a team of content creators working remotely from different countries. The website’s creator, identified as Nazir Ali, expressed his remorse in an interview with The Irish Times, stating that it was a mistake and that he had no intention of pranking people.
“It was our fault; we should have confirmed it before publishing,” Ali told The Irish Times, adding that claims of intentionally posting false information were inaccurate. “However, claims that we intentionally posted false information are completely inaccurate.”
The misinformation spread quickly, leading to the gathering of thousands on O’Connell Street. By 8 p.m., Garda confirmed the parade’s absence through a social media post, urging attendees to disperse.
Despite the incident, Ali maintains that his website has accurately reported numerous events in Ireland, including St. Patrick’s Day festivities. He claimed to have no prior knowledge of the parade’s cancellation and that he would have removed the information if notified earlier.
“Had we been informed earlier, we would have taken it down. No one reached out to us,” Ali stated.
He also highlighted his website’s high ranking among Halloween-related information on Google, emphasizing that the misleading article was an isolated incident.
“We feel deeply embarrassed and sincerely regret this incident,” Ali reiterated.
Meanwhile, a Garda spokesperson confirmed that no criminal offenses were reported, and therefore, no investigation would be initiated. They advised the public to always verify event details through trusted sources.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of misinformation spreading online, especially during large-scale events. It emphasizes the importance of fact-checking and relying on credible sources for information.
