Ireland Dublin man charged over 10,000 hoax calls to 999 service
William Greene, 48, a Dublin man, allegedly made over 10,000 hoax calls to the 999 emergency services line between April 8 and November 9, 2023, most of them while under the influence of alcohol. Gardaí allege he made a further 320 calls on October 2 and the following day in October 2024, and he was charged under section 13 of the Post Office (Amendment) Act, 1951. The case was reported on October 10, 2024, when Judge Bryan Smyth at Dublin District Court refused jurisdiction and bail. Greene was remanded in custody pending a book of evidence, with the case to be sent forward to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court10 Oct
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- William Greene, 48, a Dublin man, is alleged to have made over 10,000 hoax phone calls to emergency services.
- The over 10,000 calls are estimated to have taken about 129 hours of call-takers' time.
- Where
- The calls were made to the 999 emergency services line.
- When
- The calls were made between April 8 and November 9, 2023.
- Cause
- Most of the calls were allegedly made while the caller was under the influence of alcohol.
- Investigation
- Gardaí allege that on October 2 and the following day in October 2024, Greene made a further 320 calls to the emergency service line.
- When Greene's home was searched, 14 empty lager cans were allegedly found.
- Charges
- Greene is charged under section 13 of the Post Office (Amendment) Act, 1951, with persistently making telephone calls to cause annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety.
- In court
- Judge Bryan Smyth at Dublin District Court remanded Greene in custody.
- The judge refused jurisdiction, and the case was to be sent forward to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
- Bail was refused, and Greene was remanded in custody pending preparation of a book of evidence.
- Other details
- None of the calls were real emergencies.
- A detective agreed that the accused had a psychosis and that it was not exaggerated.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA Dublin man allegedly made over 10,000 hoax phone calls to emergency services. (thejournal.ie)
- whatThere were over 10,000 calls in the period, taking an estimated 129 hours of call-takers' time. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe calls were made between April 8 and November 9, 2023. (thejournal.ie)
- causeMost of the calls were allegedly made while the caller was under the influence of alcohol. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationGardaí allege that on October 2 and the following day, the accused made a further 320 calls to the emergency service line. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationThe man's home was searched and 14 empty lager cans were allegedly found. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeGreene is charged under section 13 of the Post Office (Amendment) Act, 1951, for persistently making telephone calls to cause annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety. (thejournal.ie)
- courtGreene was remanded in custody by Judge Bryan Smyth at Dublin District Court. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge refused jurisdiction and the case was to be sent forward to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (thejournal.ie)
- courtBail was refused and Greene was remanded in custody pending preparation of a book of evidence. (thejournal.ie)
- otherNone of the calls were real emergencies. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe detective agreed that the accused had a psychosis and that it was not exaggerated. (thejournal.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 10 Oct2024Dublin man made 10,000 hoax calls to the 999 emergency services line, court hears
First report of this case. It gives the charge, the 2023 calling period, the call totals, the remand in custody, the transfer to the Circuit Criminal Court, and an alleged further 320 calls in October 2024 that formed the basis of a bail revocation application.
accused, William Greene, 48, male, named, irish (judged from name)William Greene