Man arrested over 'false social media reports' of inappropriate behavior towards a minor

Gardaí have arrested a male in county Wicklow as part of an ongoing investigation into the creation and dissemination of false allegations on social media.

An investigation commenced in June 2024 when an image of a man traveling on a bus in Newtownmountkennedy, county Wicklow, was circulated online, accompanied by claims that he was behaving inappropriately towards a minor.

In a statement, gardaí said they have established that "the allegation of inappropriate activity towards a minor, or any other person, was unfounded and false".

"The publication of this false allegation on social media caused serious anxiety and concern to the individual depicted", gardaí said,  "in addition to creating alarm and concern" in the local community.

Read Also: Teenager in court for driving high-powered BMW at speed in residential area of Irish town

During an operation led by Gardaí from Wicklow North CE Functional Area this Tuesday morning, October 15, a residential property was searched in south Wicklow, resulting in the seizure of several mobile phones and electronic devices.

A man in his 40s was arrested at the scene.

He is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 for an alleged offence under Section 12(a) of the Criminal Law Act, 1976 at a Garda Station in County Wicklow.