Bundoran hoax bomb caller asked to compensate nightclub owner

A man whose hoax bomb warning led to a Bundoran nightclub being evacuated in the early hours of St Patrick’s Day has been remanded on bail to allow him to raise compensation money for the owner.

Brian Logue, 51, of 9 Glenview Cottages, Omagh was before Ballyshannon District Court on Friday, June 20. He had previously admitted that on March 17, 2024, at Main Street, Bundoran, he did knowingly make a false report tending to show that an offence had been committed. The offence is contrary to section 12(a) of the Criminal Law Act, 1976.

Inspector Anthony Coyle told the court that gardaí responded to a phone call at 1.18am on St Patrick’s Day, 2024.

“The caller said there was a bomb in Paris Nightclub,” said the inspector. “As a result, 150 people were evacuated. Streets had to be closed off.”

Gardaí established that the call had been made from Bundoran, and were able to trace the mobile phone. The following day, they made contact with Logue, who then attended voluntarily at Ballyshannon Garda Station and made full admissions.

The court heard that the nightclub owner estimated loss of earnings to be €2,500.

The case had previously been adjourned to allow the defendant to gather compensation, and for Sergeant Matthew Murphy to be present. 

Solicitor Gerry McGovern said his client had managed to gather €600, which was a lot of money for him.

He added that Sergeant Murphy had taken his client under his wing somewhat, and he would like him to be present in court before the matter was finalised. 

Judge Michael Connellan acknowledged that €600 was a lot of money for the defendant to have gathered. 

However, the judge added: “He needs to bring half of what is owed to the nightclub.”

Logue was remanded on continuing bail to appear again before Ballyshannon District Court on October 7, by which time he is expected to have €1,250 in compensation for the nightclub owner.