MYSTERY OVER WEST MAYO HOAX CALLER
March 27 1996
Garda probe 'wild goose chase' saga
TOM KELLY REPORTS
Gardai in West Mayo are investigating an unusual case in which a mystery hoax caller is running rampant in the area. The prankster is behind a series of 'wild goose chase' style spoofs which has left householders in the village of Cloondaff, Glenhest, bemused and bewildered.
The mystery man has been responsible for calls out, to a number of homes in the village, people involved in providing different specialist services. They included a second-hand furniture retailer, cattle jobber, two slurry tank operators, a porta cabin salesman and a lady selling a partner for a goose!When they turned up at the front door at the homes to which they were told to go, the news awaited them how they were the latest victim of a hoax call riddle. So embarrassed had householders become by the episode that they had no option but to report the matter to the Gardai in Castlebar.
One householder told me: "It is a nasty piece of trickery by whoever is responsible. A number of poor mortals turned up at our doorsteps saying we requested them to come out. It has also happened to a number of our neighbours."
"We feel sorry for those who have travelled long distances. What can we say only that a hoax caller is at large in the area. Something has to be done to resolve the matter once and for all."
Said another local: "A woman from the Ballyglass area who turned up with a gander felt a proper goose when she was told she had been conned."
It is understood the mystery conman scans the advertisement columns of the local newspapers before dialling his next victim.
Castlebar photographer Michael Donnelly found it a bit suspicious when he received a call to attend a house in Cloondaff to take a number of wedding photographs.
"Purely by chance I rang the Post Office in Glenhest and was told it was probably a hoax call, so I stayed at home. I was one of the lucky ones."
Gardai are taking the matter very seriously and are following a number of
definite leads.
Connaught Telegraph - News - Mar 1996
Connaught Telegraph - Sports - Mar 1996
