Courts / Dublin / Report
Garda detective guilty of harassing State solicitor
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, Detective Sergeant Eve Doherty, aged 49, was found guilty of harassing State solicitor Elizabeth Howlin. Doherty had pleaded not guilty to the harassment charge and to two counts of making false statements alleging Howlin was perverting the course of justice. The jury convicted her on the harassment charge but acquitted her on the false statements. The court heard that Doherty sent abusive letters and emails to Howlin's home, workplace and GP, calling her a "corrupt bitch" and other slurs, and that she also distributed A4 posters claiming Howlin was a political appointee who would "pull" files. Doherty was remanded on continuing bail until 27 October, with conditions prohibiting contact with parties in the proceedings and no social‑media postings about the case. The trial lasted just over three hours and involved 15 days of evidence. The judge thanked the jury for their careful assessment of the evidence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Garda detective guilty of harassing State solicitor. Charges or matters: harassing; making false statements. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 27 Adjournment
- November 2011 Other
- 2017-08-01 Publication
Why: He added that this didn't mean people could say whatever they wanted to say without recourse because there were libel laws if you defamed somebody. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: harassing; making false statements (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: She remanded Sgt Doherty on continuing bail until October 27 for sentence.; remand
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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