The infamous 2 Johnnies catfish saga featured on the English Leaving Cert this year.
Last May, two episodes of the 2 Johnnies podcast were rapidly shared due to the ludicrous story of the GAA Catfish.
People who had never listened to the podcast before were suddenly tuned in, and the two-part episode quickly became their most listened-to uploads to date.
The story is now firmly secured forever in Leaving Cert history, having appeared in this year’s English paper.
The GAA Catfish – a story that gripped us all
Johnnie Smacks and Johnnie B initially told the story of the GAA Catfish at their sold our 3-Arena show in April 2022.
The story received such a response online that they released two podcast episodes on the saga. The story involves the newly single Johnnie B striking up an online chat exchange with a girl called Cora O’Donovan.
The pair exchanged many voice notes, and after multiple failed attempts to meet up, Johnnie B smelled a rat.
The Johnnies decided to investigate further, and on questioning lots of Cora’s online connections, including an alleged ex-boyfriend involved in the GAA, they concluded that Cora was, in fact, not real.
The duo came to the chilling realisation that the person behind the page was Cora’s alleged roommate, ‘Nikki’.
The 2 Johnnies feature on the Leaving Cert – the viral story is officially an Irish pop culture sensation
The English Leaving Cert paper included an extract from an Irish Times article on the subject, inviting students to write their own opinions on the catfishing phenomenon.
Catfishing is when a person creates a fake profile to lure unassuming people into false security, often leading to scams and heartbreak.
In response to the story’s inclusion in the exams, Johnnie B said, “Shout out to my Junior Cert English teacher who told me to do Pass, I did Honours and look at me now (still can’t spell).
“It’s crazy to us that it’s on the Leaving Cert, but it’s great that young people are reading about it; hopefully, no one else gets catfished! And best of luck to everyone with the Leaving, what’s for ya won’t pass ya, except a taxi on a night out in Dublin – that will pass ya!”.
Catfishing laws in Ireland – a sad truth
With the rise in online dating and social media in recent years, the ability to steal someone else’s identity is becoming more commonplace.
When The 2 Johnnies approached the authorities on the issue, they were sadly told that unless a financial transaction had been made, the person behind the fake profile was not breaking any laws.
This threatens not only the people being tricked but also those whose photos are being used for the sinister act.
Senator Lisa Chambers is working on a bill to make the act illegal, having had her identity stolen by a catfish. Hopefully, justice will be served by those affected in the near future.
