Bizarre incident in Finglas

Unauthorised filming of schoolchildren

Yesterday an incident occured in St Canices Boys School between 10.45 and 11.00am when the boys were in the school playground during their break

A number of men were observed on the foothpath along the school railing filming pupils. The Principal of the school, Brendan Kelly was immediately contacted by staff and alerted to the situation and confronted the 'film crew' telling them that they were breaking the law as they had no parental consent to film the children and to stop immediately.

The men ignored the demand of the Principal and continued filming and refused to explain who they were or why they were filming. They were throwing children in the play area chocolate bars to encourage them over to the railings where they could film them close up. Two of the men were dressed in Panto clothing to intice the children over to the camera.

The Gardai arrived two of the men sped away and were chased. The remainder were questioned. The Gardai confiscated the film and the bars advising the principal that they were "treating the incident seriously".

I can only assume it was an attempt to promote a new chocolate bar by some group in advertising trying to 'cut corners' hopefully nothing more sinister. It is totally unacceptable for children to be filmed or photographed without parential/guardian consent.