Woman alleges 400 nuisance calls in one day

A woman has alleged that a garda, who is currently suspended, made 400 nuisance phone calls to her in one day.

A woman has alleged that a garda, who is currently suspended, made 400 nuisance phone calls to her in one day.

Garda Austin Woods, with addresses at Nephin Road, Dublin and Shanmullagh, Hackballscross, Co Louth, was suspended after an investigation was launched into allegations by the woman that he had led a sustained campaign of harassment against her.

Garda Woods is charged under Section 10 of the Non Fatal Offences Act and, at Longford District Court yesterday he was remanded in custody to appear in court next Tuesday. He denies the charge.

Yesterday's court was told that Garda Woods had breached bail conditions agreed at Tullamore District Court in February, one of which was that he refrain from any contact with his accuser, Ms Collette Johnson.

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Ms Johnson, of Station Road, Cootehill, Co Cavan, and formerly of Granard, Co Longford, told Judge John Neilan: "I've had continuous phone calls since (his bail agreement at Tullamore in February) . . . Sometimes I get up to 400 calls a day. " She was able to identify him when he called, she told the judge, because she had lived with Garda Woods for six months.