Two probes launched after reports of abortion-related automated phonecalls
Two investigations are underway into a series of abortion-related automated phonecalls that are being made to households around the country.
It is understood the call involves a recorded message playing a series of claims about abortion, and invites the householder to press a number for more information.
The call is from a Dublin number and claims to have a message from Eamon O’Dwyer, retired professor emeritus of obstetrics and gynaecology at NUI Galway.
The college said today it had no comment to make, and confirmed Prof O'Dwyer had retired from NUI Galway some years ago.
It is believed an automated programme is being used to generate and dial random phone numbers.
Comreg and the Data Protection Commissioners are investigating the calls.
John Rogers from the Data Protection Commissioners had this advice for anyone who receives the call: "I would say don't listen to the message. I believe as well that some people are being requested to press 1, 2 or 3...I wouldn’t recommend doing that either."
He added the investigation was on-going.
