Courts / Dublin / Report

Dublin man made hoax bomb call, shutting down motorway, because friend didn't want to go to work

Date
2015-08-01

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a 2015 case, a 21‑year‑old Dublin man named Colin Hammond pleaded guilty to making false bomb calls that shut down the M4 motorway, disrupted air traffic control and prevented 4,000 Intel staff from working. Hammond, who had been drinking and taking tablets, was paid €30 by a friend who did not want to go to work at Intel in Leixlip. He called 999 twice, claiming bombs would detonate in 12 hours and that "Islamic State" was responsible. The court heard that 300 employees were evacuated and 3,700 were prevented from entering the site, and that the incident cost Intel 6,000 hours of production. Judge Martin Nolan adjourned sentencing to October and indicated a potential sentence of 200 hours of community service in lieu of two years' imprisonment, pending suitability. The case highlighted the disruptive impact of hoax bomb threats on public safety and business operations.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Dublin man made hoax bomb call, shutting down motorway, because friend didn't want to go to work. Charges or matters: making a false report giving rise to apprehension for the safety of persons or property at Bath Road on January 13, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

January 13, 2015 Adjournment
2015-08-01 Publication

Why: Colin Hammond (21) had been drinking and taking tablets with a friend who paid him to make the calls because he didn't want to go to work at Intel in Leixlip the following morning. CNI source report

Case subjects

Colin Hammond

Defendant

Charges: making a false report giving rise to apprehension for the safety of persons or property at Bath Road on January 13, 2015 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Martin Nolan adjourned the sentence to October and said he intended to impose 200 hours of community service in lieu of two years in jail if Hammond is deemed suitable for this.; Judge Martin Nolan adjourned the sentence to October and said he intended to impose 200 hours of community service in lieu of two years in jail if Hammond is deemed suitable for this.