Gardaí Warn Public Over Fake Document Circulating on Social Media

An Garda Síochána has warned the public about a fake document circulating on social media and messaging apps amid the ongoing fuel protests.

The document, which appears to be styled as an internal Garda operational directive, is not genuine. Gardaí confirmed the document is fake and urged the public not to share it further.

An Garda Síochána said it:

"Has regularly highlighted the rise in the level of misinformation, disinformation and fake news which is typically amplified by online accounts in order to spread fear and concern amongst our communities."

Gardaí are appealing to all members of the public to independently verify any information they encounter on social media or messaging apps.

How to spot fake documents online

Fake official documents have become increasingly common during major news events, often created using AI tools and designed to look convincing at first glance. There are a number of things to look out for when assessing whether a document is genuine.

Official Garda communications are published through verified channels, including garda.ie and their verified social media accounts on Facebook and X. Internal Garda documents would not normally be shared publicly, so any document marked "confidential" or "for internal distribution only" appearing on social media should be treated with immediate suspicion.

AI-generated documents often contain subtle spelling or grammatical errors that would not appear in a professionally prepared official document. Inconsistent formatting, unusual phrasing, and incorrect dates are also common indicators. If a document contains a date that doesn't match the current year, that is a strong sign it may not be genuine.

If you are unsure whether a document or statement is real, check the official Garda social media pages or garda.ie before sharing. Sharing unverified material, even with good intentions, can contribute to the spread of misinformation during an already fast-moving situation.