A former model has admitted that she provided false information in the search for missing hiker Cian McLaughlin in the US.
Heather Mycoskie, who is the ex-wife of high profile entrepreneur Blake Mycoskie, was fined $17,600 (€16,577) for giving a false report to investigators.
Cian, from Dublin, disappeared while hiking alone in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming exactly one year ago. He was last seen around 2.30pm on the afternoon of June 8 2021. He was reportedly heading towards Taggart Lake in Wyoming.
Read more: Dublin man found dead on Wales beach named
Speaking to Fox News Digital, Mycoskie admitted to lying to investigators: "I did, in fact, lie. I submitted a false statement, but it was all based on information that I had received."
The 40-year-old, whose ex-husband founded famous shoe brand Toms, has been banned from the park for five years.
She gave a 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.
Mycoskie "fabricated the sighting to ensure search efforts continued" and has apologised for the false report.
"I'm extremely sorry, and I would love to apologise, but I lied," she said. "I hope that his family can understand that I wasn't trying to hurt the search or mislead anybody," she told Fox News Digital.
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."
Read more: Recession in Ireland could quickly turn into 'disaster' depression, Ben Dunne warns
Read more: Dublin toddler left with life-changing injuries after car accident
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.
