Man (32) falsely claimed he had been shot after leaving crash scene, court told

Michael Hanley (32) is accused of "wasting a lot of garda time" by making a statement about a shooting that never happened.

Judge Gerard Jones adjourned the case at Blanchardstown District Court for the accused to decide how he intends to plead.

Mr Hanley, of Portland Row in the north inner city, is alleged to have left the scene of an accident at Barberstown Lane, Lucan, last August 12, and to have made a false report.

Garda Amy Cunningham said the accused replied "I'm sorry" when the charge was put to him.

He was handed a copy of the charge sheet, and the DPP consented to the case being dealt with summarily at district court level, subject to a judge considering jurisdiction.

The garda said it would be alleged that the accused left the scene of an accident, and when gardaí investigated it and identified him he made a false declaration that he had been shot and that was the reason he had left the scene.

According to the prosecution, the accused made a cautioned statement, wasting a lot of garda time.

On viewing CCTV evidence, it was established that the shooting "never occurred", Gda Cunningham said.

Judge Jones accepted jurisdiction for the matter to remain in the district court.

He adjourned the case to a date next month.