THE director of public prosecutions has yet to give directions in a case involving a 24-year-old man from Kinsale who allegedly made three hoax calls to the emergency services.

Killian McCarthy, solicitor, appeared at Bantry District Court on behalf of Declan Doyle O’Donovan (23) of Kilcolman at the Old Head in Kinsale.

Sgt Kevin Heffernan, who is based at Kinsale Garda Station, outlined in evidence to Judge Joanne Carroll that the accused was arrested at 6.30pm on the evening of November 12th and taken to Bandon Garda Station, where he was charged with three offences.

The sergeant said the accused was cautioned before each of the three charges were put to him, but he made no reply.

It is alleged that shortly before 1am on October 27th the accused dialled 999 and informed fire control that a car was on fire at Kilcolman, which is an offence under the Communications Regulations Act 2007.

On the same date, it is alleged that by calling 999, and falsely reporting having seen a car driven off the Old Head of Kinsale, the accused’s actions resulted in a large-scale air, sea and land emergency response by numerous state agencies.

The third charge is a further accusation that the accused called fire control and reported that there was a car on fire.

Sgt Trish O’Sullivan said the state had no objection to the accused being released on his own bail, which Judge Carroll set at €200.

As part of the conditions of bail, the accused agreed to remain living at the home of his mother at Kilcolman; sign on at the garda station in Kinsale every Saturday, between the hours of 10am and 5pm; and not take intoxicants of any kind.

Having noted that gardaí are now in possession of the accused’s mobile phone, as part of what is an on-going investigation, the accused was instructed to buy another mobile phone so gardaí could contact him at any time.

And finally, the accused was asked to give an undertaking to make no further hoax calls and to be of good behaviour.

Defence solicitor Mr McCarthy told Judge Carroll that his client is a single man, gainfully employed as a general operative in a construction company and is living at home.

The solicitor pointed out that his client has no previous convictions, and that he would be willing to comply with all of the conditions of bail.

After agreeing the bail terms, Judge Carroll warned the accused: ‘If you break your bail conditions, you could be held in custody.’

The case has been adjourned to a district court on Monday January 15th 2026.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.