Theorists are divided about why there have been so many creepy reports

What is the killer clown hoax, how many Irish sightings have there been and what is phantom clown theory?

A TERRIFYING clown hoax has been sweeping America and some believe the creepy craze is about to move to Irish shores.

Last month, the chilling epidemic was rife in the USA, as witnesses reported spotting men in clown costumes trying to lure kids into the woods.

As authorities fear for the safety of children, multiple safety warnings have been issued by the US police.

If that wasn’t haunting enough, just yesterday, Irish people posted to Facebook revealing their fears of the creepy clowns as an apparent one appeared in Darndale, North Dublin and another in the city centre.

One social media user said: “The clowns have hit Dublin”, and another said: “I’m not leaving the house forever now”.

Could this alarming trend be making its way to Ireland? Here’s everything you need to know about the prevalent problem¿

What is the killer clown hoax?



THP says watch for clowns trying to lure children in to the woods. They are possibly predators. Call 911 or *847 pic.twitter.com/7AaEOj4WuE — TN Highway Patrol (@TNHighwayPatrol) September 24, 2016

There are many theories as to why there have been so many clown sightings in recent months.

In scenes that very much resemble something out of a horror film, the costumed men have been sighted lurking in woodland and residential areas.

Some bold criminals have even made there way into house porches or have peered in through windows in a sinister manner.

Middlesboro police catch man in scary clown costume. More on @WKYT @WYMT pic.twitter.com/cVvTQNqikx — Phil Pendleton (@philtvnews) September 23, 2016

Many believe that the worrying reports are all part of an elaborate prank.

They are adamant that the hoax is simply a promotion that’s linked to Stephen King’s IT film, an upcoming thriller poised to hit the big screen.

Others think the clowns are merely some pranksters trying to terrorise neighbourhoods across the US.

How many sightings have there been?



There’s no doubt that the craze is more prevalent in the US, as there’s been reports of strange sightings in almost a dozen cities.

In Alabama alone, seven people, including two adults and five juveniles, have been arrested over the crime.

Each individual is currently facing charges for committing an act of terrorism.

But in Ireland there has been a couple of reported sightings.

One Dublin Twiiter user today commented: “All these clown sightings around Dublin are so weird and kinda creepy…”

While another Dubliner freaked his followers out by uploading a snap of a clown on the loose pictured beside the Spire on O’Connell Street.

All these clown sightings around Dublin are so weird and kinda creepy… — Kate O’Loughlin (@KateOLoughlinx) October 5, 2016

Alongside the snap he said: “And I thought Dublin would be free from all this clown stuff, guess not”

CLOWN SPOTTING IN DUBLIN LETS GO — elijah tay (@etaystee) October 5, 2016

The clown sighting in Darndale on Dublin’s northside was revealed to be a farce after the clown in question took to Facebook and said ‘it was just a picture of me from last year’ at Halloween.

If this clown thing starts in Ireland, I’ll be breaking out the hurleys. — Seán (@ReelSeanMurphy) October 4, 2016

In the UK, sightings and arrests are far less common but they have still been noted.

Earlier this week, Northumbria Police revealed that they had received six separate reports of clown sightings since Friday.

What is phantom clown theory?



Some experts believe that the staggering surge in clown sightings is a result of the fear provoked by social media.

People are also likely to have an underlying concern about clowns, as they have been such prominent horror villains in television and film.

As reports have sparked mass hysteria, people are more likely to believe that they have seen something suspicious.

Cryptozoologist Loren Coleman, who studies uncategorised species, has described this epidemic as the Phantom Clown Syndrome.

He explained that more people are seeing clowns because they have a “primal dread that so many children experience in their presence”.