07-08-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Daily Mirror
Emergency 'Armageddon alert' to sound on some Irish phones next month
A warning has been issued about an emergency 'Armageddon alert' set to go off on some phones in Ireland next month. People travelling near border counties may hear a loud alarm as part of a drill for the UK's Emergency Alert system.
The message - which may also cause phones to vibrate and flash - will be sent to all devices across Britain and the North on Sunday, September 7. The alert will sound at 3pm that afternoon and is for testing purposes only.
Mobiles on 4G and 5G networks will emit a loud siren for around 10 seconds - even if they are set on silent - and display a test message making it clear the alert is part of a drill.
Phone users near border areas in Ireland who roam onto UK network may receive the alert, but those on Irish networks will not.
The largest use of the Emergency Alert system so far was during Storm Eowyn in January 2025, when 4.5 million people in the North and Scotland received a warning about life-threatening weather conditions.
Next month's drill will be just the second of its kind and follows the UK Government's pledge to test the system regularly to make sure the alarm works and get the public used to it.
Ahead of the first test in April 2023, the Road Safety Authority of Ireland (RSAI) advised road users on how to respond safely if they receive the alert while driving near border counties. They reminded drivers: Road users are advised of the following advice if they get the alert while travelling this coming Sunday:
Do not be alarmed or startled if your phone makes a loud alarm sound, vibrates and flashes to flag the incoming test message.
Do not read or otherwise respond to an Emergency Alert while driving or riding a motorcycle.
If driving, continue to drive and do not respond to the noise or attempt to pick up the mobile phone and deal with the message.
An RSAI spokesperson added: "In a real-time emergency, you should find somewhere safe and legal to pull over and read the message. If that is not possible, drivers can tune into live radio and wait for bulletins until they can pull over safely. However, this alert across Britain and Northern Ireland is simply for testing purposes so road users should ignore the message and carry on with their journey."
Ahead of next month's test, the UK Government is launching a public information campaign, including outreach to vulnerable groups such as domestic abuse victims, to prepare people for the alert.
Pat McFadden, UK Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, urged the public to get ready for the national test saying: "From major storms to wildfires, this system could save your life in an emergency. Just like the fire alarm in your house, it's important we test the system so that we know it will work if we need it.
"It's part of our Plan for Change to secure the nation and keep people safe. This test will be one of the biggest public safety exercises in our nation's history. Mark the date, spread the word, and take a moment to think about how you would respond in a real emergency."
The full text of the test alert was revealed last week. It will say: "This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a UK government service that will warn you if there's a life-threatening emergency nearby. You do not need to take any action. In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe. Find simple and effective advice on how to prepare for emergencies at
As well as making clear the test is just a drill, the message will point the public to a website offering advice about steps households can take to prepare for emergencies.
Similar alert systems are already in use in countries such as the US, Canada, the Netherlands and Japan to warn of dangers like severe weather events.
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