On January 20, Facebook user Nina Marji published a post claiming that a banner placed in Dublin calls on the population to take off masks. According to the post, the banner calls the majority of COVID tests false positive and dubs the coronavirus as a hoax, claiming that scientists refuse to get vaccinated. The post is accompanied by a video showing the banner with an English-language anti-vaccination message.
Marji’s post about the billboard in Dublin, which does not take the coronavirus pandemic seriously and calls on the population to take off masks and reject vaccination, is misleading and manipulative. A portable banner was placed outside a petrol station temporarily, without permission and it has nothing to do with the position of the company, the city or the country. Thus, it has no context at all.
Maxol Templeogue, the petrol station, where the billboard was placed, responded to the incident with a statement on Instagram. The company condemned the fact and slammed anti-maskers for spreading misinformation:
“We would just like to make clear that any messages shown in this video are not the views or beliefs of the management or staff of Maxol Templeogue. The trailer was parked on our forecourt without permission but was quickly told to leave when management were made aware.” The statement also notes that the company has always respected and followed the COVID 19 guidelines and will continue to do so.
According to IrishCentral, a portable electronic board was placed outside the petrol station without permission. Others said that they had seen the same board in Malahide in north Dublin at a different time.
Paul Murphy, a representative of the Dublin South-West constituency, criticized the incident and the group responsible for it.
“It’s extremely concerning that blatantly false and dangerous misinformation is being broadcast to people. I would encourage people to be vigilant for this board or other misinformation being spread. COVID is unfortunately very real, being responsible for over 2,500 deaths in Ireland now. It is vital that people do wear masks, socially distance and are vaccinated as soon as possible to keep each other safe.”
Local politician, Sean Crowe also denounced the incident and said that misinformation campaigns were thwarting Ireland’s attempts to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
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