A Donegal man accused of making false reports about a body floating in the water off Bundoran will go on trial.
Books of evidence were served on Nathan Coughlan when he appeared before Ballyshannon District Court.
Coughlan has been forwarded to the next sitting of Donegal Circuit Court, which commences on March 12.
The 27-year-old, of Silverhill Village, Bundoran, is charged with making bogus calls on February 21, 2021 and April 2, 2021.
On each occasion, Coughlan claimed that there was a body floating in the water near the RNLI Station.
He is charged with two counts of making a false report of a body floating in the water beside the RNLI Station at Tullan Strand, Bundoran, tending to give rise to apprehension for the safety of persons or property. The charge is contrary to Section 1 (A) of the Criminal Law Act, 1976.
Coughlan was also served with a book of evidence in respect of an incident on March 6, 2021. He is charged that he entered a building known as Bundoran Adventure Park and did commit an offence, to wit, criminal damage to a window and theft of work tools.
Coughlan is also charged that on March 7, 2021 he entered the Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea, Bundoran as a trespasser and attempted to commit an arrestable offence, to wit, theft of donations from four collection boxes.
Inspector Angela Cummins told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed a return for trial in the case of each charge.
Garda Hussey gave evidence of serving the books of evidence on Coughlan at Ballyshannon courthouse. Judge Michael Connellan administered the alibi warning and made an order returning Coughlan – who is currently on bail – for trial.
Legal aid was granted to Coughlan’s solicitor, Mr Rory O’Brien, and one legal counsel was assigned in the case.