Saturday 31 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 21226Giving a false report to gardai · Co. Laois · 29 Mar 2021

Man jailed for two months over false report about buried body in Portlaoise

On March 29, 2021, Robert Dwane, 29, told gardai at Portlaoise Garda Station that he knew where a missing man was buried, which led to a major garda search. He was charged with giving gardai a false report, and his solicitor said he made the claim while coming down off heroin, out of desperation to get bail. Judge Andrew Cody sentenced Dwane to two months in prison, to begin when his current sentence expires. The sentence, reported on May 7, 2023, is the latest development.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced5 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Dwane told gardai he knew where a missing man was buried.
Where
The false report was given at Portlaoise Garda Station.
When
  • The false report was given on March 29, 2021.
  • The sentencing was reported on May 7, 2023.
Cause
Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said Dwane was coming down off heroin and gave the information out of desperation to get bail.
Investigation
  • Gardai used a large amount of resources on the search for the missing man.
  • The information turned out to be false, and the solicitor said it was not correct.
Charges
Dwane was charged with giving gardai a false report.
In court
Dwane appeared before Portlaoise District Court on the charge.
Sentence
  • Judge Andrew Cody sentenced Dwane to two months in prison.
  • The sentence is to begin when Dwane's current sentence expires.
Other details
  • Dwane had 35 previous convictions.
  • Dwane was serving a jail sentence for two counts of robbery, with a release date given as January 2025.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatDwane told gardai he knew where a missing man was buried. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe false report was given at Portlaoise Garda Station. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe false report was given on March 29, 2021. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • causeThe solicitor said Dwane was coming down off heroin and gave the information out of desperation to get bail. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardai used a large amount of resources on the search. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe information turned out to be false. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeDwane was charged with giving gardai a false report. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Andrew Cody sentenced Dwane to two months in prison. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentence is to begin when the current sentence expires. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe solicitor said the information given was not correct. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherDwane had 35 previous convictions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherDwane was serving a jail sentence for two counts of robbery. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 5 May2023
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Told Gardai he knew where body was buried

    Reports the sentencing of Robert Dwane, 29, for a false report about a missing man's body made in 2021. This is a different incident from the 2025 attempted robbery and drugs charges in existing case 11880, although the name is the same.

    convicted, Robert Dwane, 29, male, named, irish (judged from name)Robert Dwane