Heartless scammers have reportedly set up fake livestream links to the funeral of tragic six-year-old Matthew Purcell Healy.
The link reportedly directs internet users to a webpage which captures personal details – scam sites, often described as ‘phishing’ operations’ which try to garner emails and personal information for criminal groups looking to use the details to defraud and steal.
In a statement An Garda Síochana said, “We are aware of posts circulating on social media which advertise the livestream of a funeral mass of a recently deceased boy due to take place in the parish of Watergrasshill and Glenville Co. Cork.”
Gardaí say the posts prompt users to clink on a link to watch the Mass but instead redirect them to a webpage “that captures their personal information.”
Gardaí have advised that anyone who wishes to watch the live-streaming of a Mass should refer to the relevant diocese directly.
The funeral of little Matthew is to take place today at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Watergrass Hill, Co. Cork.
This will be followed by a private service in the Island Crematorium, Ringaskiddy.
Matthew’s death notice says that he will be “sadly missed by his heartbroken Dad James, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family, neighbours and friends”.
Yesterday Gardaí charged Matthew’s 37-year-old mother with his murder with Garda inspectors suspecting that he was suffocated.
Ruth Purcell Healy is being held in Limerick prison with Judge Kevin Staunton ordering a full psychiatric evaluation of her.
She is due before the courts next Tuesday via video link.