Gardaí urge people 'not to engage' in home intruder prank

An Garda Síochána have urged people "not to engage" in the home intruder prank which has been trending on social media.

The prank involves sending home owners a photo with an AI-generated intruder in their home.

Gardaí are "aware" of the prank and have been deployed "on a number of occasions" to "an ultimately hoax report of burglary."

In a statement on social media, they stated: "An Garda Síochána is aware of a trending prank circulating on social media in which a loved one is sent an AI-generated image of a home intruder.

"Already on a number of occasions this has resulted in the emergency deployment of Gardaí to an ultimately hoax report of burglary.

"This represents a waste of valuable Garda resources and diverts from genuine emergency calls which require a response. There is a risk that legitimate emergency calls will not receive the necessary urgent attention, which poses serious safety concerns for those who need our immediate assistance," they warned.

"We urge everyone not to engage in this prank and to consider the consequences that may result from such activity."