A woman has been fined $17,600 (€16,577) after giving a false report to investigators in the search for missing hiker Cian McLaughlin in the US.
Family and friends were devastated after Dubliner Cian disappeared while hiking alone in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming exactly a year ago.
He was last seen around 2.30pm on the afternoon of June 8, 2021.
Read more: Family of missing Cian McLaughlin accept search for him is 'recovery, not rescue'
Heather Mycoskie, 40, has also been banned from the park for five years after giving false information during the investigation.
She gave a very detailed description of Cian and told investigators that he told her where he lived, where he was from, and his place of employment.
But a further investigation revealed that she had never seen anyone matching his description on the day of his disappearance.
Cian's mum Grainne said the development was "very upsetting" but the family "very quickly put that behind us and to refocus" on new search areas.
Currently, investigators are combing the higher mountain areas around Garnet Canyon, Surprise and Amphitheater, and Dalton Lakes.
She said: "The rangers are going to be putting up new posters again. The ones from last year are still there but obviously, they’re refocusing people up to Garnet Canyon, Surprise and Amphitheater, and Dalton Lakes for Cian’s red iPhone, his red watch, sunglasses, and a silver chain."
Speaking of her beloved son, Grainne told RTE's Morning Ireland: "Cian was a very outgoing, friendly, and sociable kind of guy. He was here in Jackson Hole Wyoming for two years where he was a snowboard instructor during the winter.
"He worked in the local bars during the summer. He was drawn to Wyoming because of the mountains, the skiing, and the summer hiking. He loved the outdoors."
Having walked the trail during the search for her son, Grainne said that the trail was very "well-marked" and likened it to the Spinc Walk in Glendalough.
A spokesperson for the National Park Service said: "Per a deferred prosecution agreement, Mycoskie is banned from Grand Teton National Park for a period of five years and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $17,600 to the Department of Treasury.
"Witnesses reported Mycoskie fabricated the sighting to ensure search efforts continued.
"As a direct result of Mycoskie’s false report, approximately 532 hours were spent conducting searches, managing search efforts, conducting follow up investigations, and completing associated reports.
"This wasted valuable time that could have been focused on searching areas of higher probability and it cost the Federal Government approximately $17,600. The deferred prosecution agreement was signed on February 10, 2022."
Hikers in the Grand Teton National Park have been urged to contact the Tip Line (888-653-0009) if they spot any of Cian's belongings including a red Apple watch, a red iPhone 12 mini, gold wire-rimmed sunglasses, a silver U shaped pendant, and a white t-shirt.
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