GRANTED BAIL |
She is due back in court on September 22.
Ann Marie Donelly
Ann Marie Donelly
This is the woman who appeared in court last week over alleged ‘crank calls’ to 999 claiming Prince Harry had committed crimes.
Ann Marie Donelly (36), from Derrin Road in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, represented herself before the town’s magistrates last Monday as the fifth in line to the throne kicked off a four-day visit to the UK.
But while the Duke of Sussex was gearing up to meet his father, King Charles, for the first time since February 2024 in a bid to repair their relationship, Donnelly was in the dock for wasting police time and persistent improper use of communications.
The prince, who soon turns 41, lives in California with his wife Meghan and their children Archie and Lilibet. Yet the County Fermanagh woman allegedly made a number of false reports to 999 from August 1 and 11, accusing the prince of offences.
She faces charges including causing “wasteful employment of the police by knowingly making to 999 call handlers, a false report or statement tending to show that an offence had been committed by Prince Harry”.
Donelly is also accused of using public communications to “cause annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another” between July 31 and August 12.
She confirmed to the court that she understood the charges against her and was not obtaining the services of a solicitor “at this time”.
No further details surrounding the circumstances of the case were revealed during the brief hearing at Enniskillen Magistrates Court.
Donnelly was remanded on bail of £200 by District Judge Alana McSorley and has been banned from using the 999 system unless it is a genuine emergency.
She is due back in court on September 22.
Meanwhile Prince Harry, who wrapped up his UK visit on Thursday, told reporters at an Invictus charity event his father was “great” after a private tea at the King’s royal residence on Wednesday.
While he didn’t see his estranged brother William during the tour, the King’s youngest son attended a number of charity events, laid a wreath at Windsor Castle on the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s death and wrapped up with a tour of the Diana Award, which was set up in memory of his mother.
Ann Marie Donelly
News in 90 Seconds – September 19th