Sunday 1 November 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. 15827Hoax calls to emergency services · Co. Dublin

Man remanded over 10,000 hoax emergency calls in Dublin

William Greene, a 48-year-old man from Dublin, allegedly made over 10,000 hoax phone calls to the 999 emergency services line between April 8 and November 9, 2023, consuming an estimated 129 hours of call-takers' time, most while under the influence of alcohol. He was charged under section 13 of the Post Office (Amendment) Act, 1951, for persistently making calls to cause annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety. At Dublin District Court, Judge Bryan Smyth refused jurisdiction, transferred the case to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, and remanded Greene in custody pending preparation of a book of evidence. A detective told the court that Greene had a psychosis and that none of the calls were real emergencies.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court10 Oct
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A Dublin man allegedly made over 10,000 hoax phone calls to the 999 emergency services line, taking an estimated 129 hours of call-takers' time.
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 3, 2024, the accused made a further 320 calls to the emergency service line.
  • The man's home was searched and 14 empty lager cans were allegedly found.
Charges
Greene is charged under section 13 of the Post Office (Amendment) Act, 1951, for persistently making telephone calls to cause annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety.
In court
  • Judge Bryan Smyth at Dublin District Court refused jurisdiction and sent the case 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.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA Dublin man made over 10,000 hoax phone calls to emergency services. (extra.ie)
  • 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
  1. 10 Oct2024
    In courtthejournal.ie, its first report
    Dublin 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
  2. 10 Oct2024
    In courtextra.ie, first report
    Dublin man made over 10,000 hoax phone calls to emergency services, court hears

    Only the headline is usable. The body is an unrendered template with no names, dates, charges or sentence.

    suspect, male