Gardaí in Donegal have been forced to issue a clarification after an AI-altered image claiming to show drone operations for this weekend’s Donegal International Rally spread across social media.
The image, which was shared by organisers of the King of the Cone competition, appeared to show several Garda-branded drones positioned in front of Letterkenny Garda Station.
The photo features Letterkenny-based gardaí, representatives of the King of the Cone event and members of Letterkenny Chamber.
However, the drones were digitally inserted into the photograph and were never present in the original image.
The altered image was accompanied by claims that Garda drones would be using number plate recognition technology on roads across Donegal.
An Garda Síochána have since issued a statement describing the claims as false.
“We are aware that this AI-altered image is in circulation with a post about the use of drones at this weekend’s Donegal Rally. This is incorrect,” a spokesperson said.
“An Garda Síochána will have a significant roads policing operation in place for the rally weekend including increased checkpoints, high-visibility patrols, additional marked and unmarked vehicles, Garda motorcyclists and the Garda Air Support Unit.”
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The image has gained major traction online ahead of the rally, which is expected to attract over 80,000 spectators to Donegal over the weekend.
On Tuesday, Gardaí and the PSNI launched a joint cross-border road safety operation and warned motorists to expect checkpoints, speed enforcement operations and increased patrols on routes into Donegal.
Garda Chief Superintendent Goretti Sheridan also warned that defective vehicles found on the roads during the rally weekend could be seized.
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