A great bunch of lads.
A Q&A held by the Gardaí Twitter account dominated Irish social media on Thursday night as the police force opened to floor to public Pope-related questions.
The session – which was held across Twitter and Facebook – included a number of social media users enquiring about the limits of the traffic restrictions set to take across most of Dublin for the weekend.
Get your queries in now and we will answer as many as possible between 7pm-8pm #PopeInIreland #PápaInÉirinn #FestivalOfFamilies
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) August 23, 2018
One such inquiry related to travelling to a maternity hospital in the capital.
“Travelling from Celbridge to the Coombe over the weekend, and may be in a hurry, will I encounter road closures along the route?”
In a reply on Twitter, Gardaí suggested: “An Garda Síochána are promoting home births in the Dublin areas on Sunday next. There is also a great deal of public transport available also.”
It also linked to a section on the Health Service Executive (HSE) website that relates to home birth services.
#GardaQandA An Garda Siochana are promoting home births in the Dublin areas on Sunday next There is also a great deal of public transport available also. See details https://t.co/9LVnRXxoeE … 1 of 2
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) August 23, 2018
However just over 10 minutes later, the official @GardaTraffic account said: “Only Joking.! Garda bikers and cars available to escort emergency cases into hospitals.”
Only Joking.! Garda bikers and cars available to escort emergency cases into hospitals. We are working with HSE. . Just dial 999 look for ambulance if an emergency. We will escort vehicles in as necessary No worries Best wishes . 2 of 2 #GardaQandA
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) August 23, 2018
A number of users responded to the prank – explaining that due to the citywide limitations in place for the Papal visit – saying they would not be surprised if it were true.
You know I honestly would not have been surprised if you were serious.
— Etain O’Leary (@rainey_78) August 23, 2018
A list of actual restrictions in place for the Papal visit can be found here.
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