A West Kerry man has appeared in court accused of knowingly making false reports to the emergency services that a local garda had died or was dying.
45-year-old Michael Boyle of Mount Eagle Lodge, Cloghane, Ventry, faces three counts of making false reports, and one of harassing the same local garda.
He was granted bail, but was told if he makes another false report to the emergency services, he will be remanded in custody.
Mr Boyle is charged that on 12th August this year, he rang 999 from the Base Hostel on Bridge Street in Dingle, falsely claiming that a local garda was dead following a disagreement with him at Paul Geaneys Pub.
He faces a charge that on the same date, he rang 999 from Mount Eagle Lodge in Cloghane and falsely reported that this local garda had died at Paddy Bawns Pub in Dingle.
Mr Boyle is accused of making a third false report to 999 the same day, claiming that this local garda was drowning in Ventry Bay.
Mr Boyle also faces one count of harassing this same local garda between 12th August and 15th October.
He appeared in Tralee District Court, where he was granted bail by Judge David Waters, subject to conditions.
They include that he is to have no contact direct or indirect with the alleged injured party, that he signs on at Dingle garda station once a week, and abides by a curfew of midnight to 6am.
He will appear again in court on 3rd December, when Judge David Waters will hear an outline of facts in the case to decide whether or not he will refuse jurisdiction.
