Gardaí considering charges against sea rescue hoaxer

Gardaí are reportedly considering whether to bring charges against a man who played an expensive hoax on the rescue services in Co Dublin over the weekend.

A coast guard helicopter, a garda helicopter and the Dun Laoghaire lifeboat searched the sea for more than four hours on Saturday morning after a 999 call claiming a man had fallen into the water at the Forty Foot bathing area.

Reports this morning said the man who made the call subsequently admitted that it was all a hoax and could now be charged with making a false report.

The rescue operation, which involved search lights and thermal imaging equipment, cost an estimated €50,000.