Owners of a busy Dublin restaurant have been left furious at people they described as "a***holes" who spread "vicious" rumours over the weekend claiming that a company in the area had a case of Coronavirus
RIBA Cafe and Restaurant in Stillorgan rushed to the defence of the Leisureplex in the area after "completely fabricated" claims circulated claiming that there had been a case of the Covid-19 bug in the business.
They added that the hoax was spread and re-spread on social media despite it having no substance whatsoever, saying it could have severely damaged the business and affected people's livelihood.
In a statement, the restaurant said: "Over the weekend, completely fabricated and vicious rumours were spread and re-spread on social media by a bunch of absolute a***holes.
"These prank-style lies set out as fact that there was a case of Covid-19 in Lesiureplex."
"What the hell is wrong with these people? I am flabbergasted as to how irresponsible they are.
"This kind of bulls**t can close a business down, affecting people’s livelihoods. It is so easy to put this information out there, especially when many are on edge about it, but very hard to counteract it with the truth."
The company said people should not trust social media but rather "reputable sources of information only".
They added: "There has never been a case of coronavirus in the Leisureplex or in Stillorgan."
"Leisureplex is open for business. And after the terrible weekend they are after having I would ask everyone to show them your support and get in there for a good old game of bowling."
The latest false claims come after Dublin City University became the second Irish college which was forced to issue a statement regarding a suspected Coronavirus case on their campus.
Rumours were fuelled online when pictures and videos started circulating claiming that a case had been identified on campus.
The North Dublin university, which has over 15,000 students, said late on Monday night that there has been "no confirmed case of Coronavirus on campus".
However, bosses at the university have reassured people that they are following precautionary guidelines at the moment but there has not been any confirmed case.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said a press conference would be held on Baggot Street this evening at 8:45pm which would outline any updates surrounding the deadly bug.
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