Gardai are pleading with the public not to engage in a new trend called 'ghosting' – which sees people lying on the road with a sheet placed over them.
A young woman was hospitalised in recent days after engaging the "extremely irresponsible" activity – and Gardai say it poses a "serious danger" to motorists and ghosters.
'Ghosting', according to the Gardai, is an "ongoing" trend on social media that challenges people to lie on a roadway with a sheet over them in an attempt to stop oncoming traffic.
Parents are being urged to educate their children on the dangers of participating in ghosting, and Gardai have put out an appeal to people not to engage in it.
The hospitalised young woman sustained a number of injuries after a ghosting episode went wrong in the southern region.
She's being treated for injuries to her back, torso and ankle as a result, and spent a number of days in hospital.
A Garda statement said: "An Garda Síochána have been made aware of a social media trend circulating online called ‘ghosting’.
"This ongoing trend challenges persons to lie on a roadway with a sheet placed over them in an attempt to stop oncoming traffic.
"This activity is extremely irresponsible and poses a serious danger to those taking part in the ‘ghosting’ and motorists.
"Gardaí attended an incident in the southern region in recent days where a youth received a number of minor injuries while participating in this activity.
"Emergency services escorted the youth to hospital where she is being treated for injuries sustained to her back, torso and ankle. She was admitted to hospital for a number of days."
