Gardaí are offering to help anyone who is struggling with technology to keep in touch with family and friends using video calls this Christmas.
Community policing officers in the Santry and Ballymun areas of Dublin have been calling to homes with iPads ready to go to make calls to family around the world.
Officers sanitise the device and set up the call, and then leave the person to chat to their relatives or friends.
Anyone who is feeling lonely or isolated is being advised to reach out.
Booking is essential as there is limited availability.
All queries can be sent directly via e-mail to santry.community@garda.ie
Community Policing Officer in Santry and Ballymun, Aidan Monahan, says it has been very rewarding for them.
"We're calling them, we've the video call connected, we've the iPad cleansed and cleaned.
"It will allow them to see the family face-to-face over the Christmas period."
Picture by: Facebook/Garda Síochána Dublin"It has been absolutely fantastic in fairness.
"The reaction of some people that haven't seen their family from across the world since the start of this initiative - and people that... they're not going to see over the Christmas period - it means a lot to them to be able to see them in person.
"It's been very uplifting and upbeat to be able to see the reactions in person."
Officer Monahan says there is a personal reason he got involved.
"I went back to basics with my own family, we've been affected by COVID throughout.
"I lost my nan to COVID, and nan wouldn't have been the most au fait with technology - I would have been always the one making the calls with her.
"So this idea came about... [to] help others in the same situation.
"So we got the iPads, we brought them in and we were able to set them up and help people who wouldn't be tech savvy.
"For me and you it'd be normal and we're able to do the normal family calls.
"But for people who are not, we're able to help and do something different".
