A man from Dublin has been brought before the court after allegedly making more than 10,000 false emergency calls, consuming approximately 130 hours of operator time, a recent court session revealed.
The individual, identified as 48-year-old William Greene of Bective Square, Dublin 7, stands accused of repeatedly using communication services to deliberately cause disruption. His actions, according to the authorities, fall under the purview of the Post Office (Amendment) Act, 1951, which addresses persistent misuse of telephone services to provoke annoyance or anxiety.
In a hearing at Dublin District Court, presided over by Judge Bryan Smyth, it was disclosed that Greene, who receives disability benefits, had his case kept within the jurisdiction of the District Court following a directive from the Director of Public Prosecutions, contingent on a guilty plea.
Details shared by Detective Garda Jeremy Gibbons highlighted that the accused made these calls between April and November of 2023, engaging two specific phone numbers with the Emergency Call Answering Service (ECAS). The calls, none of which were linked to real emergencies, were reportedly made under the influence of alcohol.
Judge Smyth, after reviewing the preliminary facts, decided to escalate the case to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, which offers broader sentencing capabilities. Despite earlier bail conditions—which included sobriety, regular check-ins at his local police station, and restrictions on phone purchases and emergency service contact—further allegations emerged of an additional 320 calls made over two consecutive days in October.
Further investigation into Greene’s conduct led to the discovery of multiple empty alcohol containers at his residence, though his defense argued these were not his. His ongoing mental health issues were acknowledged in court, with commitments to continued professional treatment being highlighted by his defense.
In light of the gravity of the accusations and the potential risk to public services, bail was denied, and Greene now awaits further legal proceedings, with the preparation of a comprehensive book of evidence underway.
