A 48-year-old Dublin man, William Greene, has been sentenced to 16 months in prison after it was revealed he made an astonishing 11,137 nuisance calls to emergency services in 2023, tying up critical lines for nearly 130 hours. The case has alarmed authorities and sparked outrage over the misuse of limited emergency resources.

Greene, of Rathmines, appeared in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where he pleaded guilty to persistently making calls to cause annoyance, inconvenience, or needless anxiety. The court heard that his actions had genuine consequences for people in distress who could not reach emergency responders.

11,137 Calls in a Year—That’s Over 30 Per Day

Prosecutors detailed the scale of Greene’s actions: more than 30 fake or nuisance calls per day in a single year. These calls were placed to 999 and 112, Ireland’s emergency response numbers for fire, ambulance, and garda assistance. The court was told that in many cases, Greene remained silent, shouted abuse, or made bizarre and time-wasting remarks.

In total, his calls consumed 7,756 minutes, or nearly 130 hours of line time — enough to potentially block hundreds of real emergency situations.

Judge Martin Nolan noted: “This was a gross abuse of a critical national service. Emergency response infrastructure is not infinite — people may have been harmed or put at risk due to these reckless actions.”

Emergency Workers Left Frustrated and Exhausted

The persistent calls not only clogged lines but also had a real impact on emergency call handlers, many of whom testified to the frustration and pressure they felt due to Greene’s actions. Gardaí involved in the case confirmed that multiple formal warnings were issued to him prior to arrest.

Despite repeated cautions, Greene continued calling. The Gardaí traced the calls using phone records and established that the volume and content of the calls posed a genuine risk to public safety.

A senior operator told the court: “Every time our system lit up with a call from him, we knew it would be time wasted. But we still had to answer — just in case it wasn’t him, and someone truly needed help.”

Mental Health Defence Rejected by Court

During the trial, Greene’s defence team cited mental health issues, claiming he struggled with alcohol misuse and isolation. Psychological assessments were submitted in support of a suspended sentence. However, Judge Nolan acknowledged Greene’s challenges but ultimately ruled that the severity of the offence demanded immediate custody.

“There must be a deterrent,” the judge said. “If everyone behaved this way, the system would collapse.”

Greene was sentenced to 16 months in prison, with no portion suspended.

Public Outcry and Calls for Stronger Measures

News of Greene’s sentence has stirred public debate on how emergency services can better screen, detect, and block chronic nuisance callers without putting real callers at risk.

Some members of the public have questioned why the system was not able to block his number sooner. Others have argued that stiffer penalties are needed for repeat offenders who endanger lives through reckless misuse.

Emergency services rely on public trust and accessibility. This case underscores the fragile balance between open access and system abuse — and how a single person can, without weapons or violence, do significant damage.

Ireland’s Emergency Lines Must Be Protected

As Ireland’s population grows and the demands on emergency services increase, the Greene case stands as a stark warning. Abuse of these systems isn’t a prank — it’s a potential public health and safety catastrophe.

Authorities are now reviewing protocols and considering options to implement real-time call flagging systems, limit repeat nuisance callers, and provide training to staff on handling abusive interactions.

For now, William Greene will serve his sentence — and Ireland’s emergency workers can briefly exhale, knowing that one of their greatest recent frustrations has been silenced.

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