This article is from page 14 of the 2012-09-25 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
A TIPPERARY woman has been warned she faces a prison sentence if she wastes the time of the emergency services again.
Rachel Fogarty (21) with an address at Boher Road, Emly, Tippperary was charged with sending by means of a telecommunications systems, a message for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another.
A probation report in respect of Ms Fogarty was handed into Ennis District Court on Wednesday.
The incident took place on August 30 (2011) at a place unknown in the district area of Ennis District No. 12.
The court previously heard between 4.24am and 5.44am on the date in question, Ennis Garda Station received a total of eight 999 emergency calls.
Gardaí were requested to attend a house in Hermitage though it was not clear why they were directed to do so.
The court previously heard gardaí discovered that the calls were made by Ms. Fogarty.
Solicitor Tara Godfrey told the court that a psychologist has recommended that Ms Fogarty undergo a course of behavioural therapy. She said a court in Tipperary has adjourned her client’s case until completion of the course. She urged the court to consider placing Ms Fogarty on a nine-month period of probation.
Ms Godfrey said, “My client understands the gravity of the offence.”
Judge Patrick Durcan said that he takes a very serious view of people who make hoax telephone calls. He said such calls cause distress and waste an incredible amount of police time.
He said he fully accepted Ms Fogarty’s difficulties as outlined by the probation services and the psychologist.
Judge Durcan said that Ms Fogarty had been convicted of a similar offence in January 2011.
He said, “If she troubles me again with matters of this nature, I will consider a four month prison sentence.” He adjourned the case until September 18 (2013) and granted the State liberty to re-enter at 24 hours notice. Judge Durcan added, “This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated.”