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Garda found not guilty of harassing married colleague by reason of insanity
Summary
A garda from Bundoran, County Donegal, has been found not guilty by reason of insanity of harassing a married female sergeant at a Dublin garda station between February 2012 and February 2013. The 40-year-old man had sent a Valentine's card, numerous emails via the garda Pulse system, and a Facebook friend request to the woman despite repeated warnings from superiors and an oral undertaking to cease contact. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard the behaviour caused the complainant significant stress and affected her work and family life. Two forensic psychiatrists gave evidence that the accused was suffering from frontotemporal dementia, an early-onset condition causing erotomania and an inability to understand the impact of his actions or control his behaviour. The jury returned a not guilty verdict after deliberating for one hour. Judge Elma Sheahan committed the man to the Central Mental Hospital pending a report for 27 June to determine appropriate steps.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Garda found not guilty of harassing married colleague by reason of insanity. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- February 18 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 11, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 1, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 4, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 27 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 2013 Other
- February 2012 Other
- 2016-06-16 Publication
Why: She was granted annual leave following the Facebook contact from Gda Maguire because her superiors believed she was not in "a fit position to do her work". CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- ultimately transferred to another garda station
- sergeant at the Dublin Garda Station
- Dublin
- turned up at the garda station
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Central Mental Hospital
Topics
Harassment Stalking Social Media Stage Trial
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