THE parish priest of Moyross this week warned mourners that users of Facebook and other social media sites need to think before posting rumours online.
Speaking at the funeral mass of tragic Yvonne Tracey, whose body was last week discovered on the banks of the Shannon, Fr Tony O’Riordan criticised “those who spread rumours and half truth in conversations and social media”.
He also said that mainstream media needs to be more careful when reporting on emerging news of tragedy.
In a hard-hitting homily, Fr O’Riordan stated: “I think anyone who engaged in spreading rumours on Monday last as news of Yvonne’s death was emerging needs in particular to consider the pain and hurt they caused Ger and the Tracey family.
“All of us have a role in preventing the slide into a ‘culture of the rumour mill’ especially in those times when the facts about a tragic death is emerging. We need to be circumspect with half truths rather than blasé about people’s feelings and pain in peddling speculation.”
He stated that those posting on social media sites need to ask themselves if what they are posting is true, and to think about what is driving them to post “something that is unfounded or not yet established”.
Addressing the widower of the late Mrs Tracey, Fr O’Riordan concluded: “I want you and all the family to let the trace of the rumours about Yvonne float down the Shannon and let them be washed out to sea. Whatever the specific cause of Yvonne’s death, it was accidental and thank God her death was painless and God took her to himself quickly.”
