A woman who provided US authorities with false information during the search for a missing Irish hiker has been fined $17,600 (€16,500).
Heather Mycoskie, 40, previously of Jackson, Wyoming knowingly provided false information and a false report in the search for Cian McLaughlin last year, authorities said.
The 27-year-old Dubliner was last seen at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming on Tuesday 8 June.
Ms Mycoskie gave false information to investigators about seeing an individual matching Mr McLaughlin's description on the day of his disappearance.
She made the false report on 21 June 2021.
She said he was hiking on the south side of the Bradley Taggart moraine in Grand Teton National Park, and he was headed south towards Taggart Lake where he planned to jump off his favorite rock into the water.
Investigators with the US Department of the Interior National Park Service said she provided a "very detailed description of McLaughlin" and said she had a discussion with him about where he lived, where he was from, and where he worked.
An investigation found that she never saw anyone matching his description on 8 June 2021.
Witnesses reported that she fabricated the sighting to ensure search efforts continued.
All other potential sightings of Mr McLaughlin were on the trail system that leads towards Garnet Canyon, Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes, and Delta Lake.
In September 2021, computer forensics revealed that he had conducted several internet searches focused on Delta Lake just prior to his hike.
As a result of Ms Mycoskie's false report, approximately 532 hours were spent conducting searches, follow-up investigations, and completing 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," a statement from Grand Teton National Park said.
As part of a deferred prosecution agreement, Ms Mycoskie was also banned from Grand Teton National Park for five years.
Search efforts for Cian McLaughlin will continue this summer.
Hikers are encouraged to contact authorities if they find any of the items he is believed to have brought with him.
These include a red Apple watch, a red iPhone 12 mini, gold wire rimmed sunglasses, a silver U-shaped pendant, and a white t-shirt.
When he was first reported missing, a massive rescue mission swung into action.
Dozens of park rangers and volunteers were involved along with dog teams and helicopters.
After days of searching, however, the operation was scaled back.
Grand Teton National Park Chief Ranger Erika Jostad had previously said: "The search for Cian won't end from our perspective until we find him."
