The owner of a website based in Pakistan, which mistakenly advertised a non-existent Halloween parade in Dublin, has expressed regret, stating it was an honest error and not a prank or fraudulent scheme. On Thursday, many people gathered on O’Connell Street in the heart of Dublin for the anticipated parade, only to find that no police or event staff were present. The Irish police, known as Gardaí, subsequently issued a statement clarifying that there was no scheduled Halloween parade and advised attendees to disperse safely.

Speaking with BBC News NI, the website owner expressed deep embarrassment and apologized for the confusion caused, acknowledging that their post led people to waste time and money. The misleading information originated from a site called ‘myspirithalloween.com’, which lists Halloween events in Ireland and other regions. The owner explained that the error occurred when a writer used details from a previous year’s parade but did not realize it would not occur this year.

Once the article was published, it gained significant traction on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, even though the website did not share it directly on its own channels. The owner pointed out that they were unaware of any cancellation; had they received notice prior to the event, they would have taken down the post immediately. They emphasized their intent to provide accurate information and accepted full responsibility for the mistake.

Bertie Brosnan, a filmmaker and content creator who intended to livestream the event, recounted how he initially found the website credible. Upon arrival, he quickly realized that the parade was nonexistent. He noted that legitimate parades typically have clear organization with barricades, security personnel, and police presence—none of which were evident at the scene.

A Garda spokesperson indicated that no criminal investigation would take place since there were no allegations of wrongdoing. They advised the public to always confirm details regarding events from reliable sources online. Official information about significant events, including safety measures and traffic management advice, is generally available through Gardaí’s website or Dublin City Council’s platform.

In addition to Halloween festivities such as trick-or-treating and pumpkin carving, ancient traditions like Nos Calan Gaeaf remind us of historical connections to the spirit world. This week has also seen striking news photographs captured worldwide.