There has been a strong negative reaction to news that Gardaí in Donegal have set up a dedicated hotline to encourage locals to report parties and other gatherings which might beach the Covid-19 lockdown.
Covid-19 cases have been above average for 6 months, and figures from an Garda Síochana show that fines for Donegal residents have been issued at a much higher rate than the average nationally.
Garda Gráinne Doherty told local radio station Highland FM on Monday morning the hotline was the first such initiative set up in the country, and appealed for listeners to use the service for parties or other events, identifying wakes and birthday celebrations amongst gatherings causing problems.
However, the idea did not gain much traction on social media, with many references being to ‘snitches’ and to what were perceived as double standards.
That snitch hotline in Donegal is gas isn’t it? That’s where we are now, reporting the neighbours. pic.twitter.com/1GjrNmUUzA
— Shane Dunne (@ItsShaneDunne) May 4, 2021
Wow. Really not sure about this idea. Neighbours reporting neighbours. Friends reporting Friends it's all a bit East Germany If it was a deadly virus it wouldnt need policing!
— @Lockdown2020 Frank O'Hara (@nautilus2024_) May 4, 2021
https://twitter.com/JohnMcN22748333/status/1389611009476808707
Several compared it to the Stasi.
this "Hotline for informing" in Donegal is straight out of the hated Stasi manual #Ireland2021
— Tadhg O'Leary (@Tigerlil2) May 4, 2021
But others agreed with the move.
"We'll call it what it is – it's a rat line!"
Gardaí in #Donegal have established a special telephone hotline to report illegal parties and gatherings – and @andreagilligan is all for it! pic.twitter.com/uCvSqNXmWg— Lunchtime Live (@LunchtimeLiveNT) May 4, 2021