Courts / Dublin / Report
Jail "inevitable" for garda detective who harassed State solicitor
Summary
In Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Melanie Greally ordered that Eve Doherty, 50, be remanded in custody next Monday ahead of her sentencing on January 19. Doherty, a detective sergeant with An Garda Síochána, was found guilty by a jury of harassing State solicitor Elizabeth Howlin between September 2011 and March 2013. The jury found her not guilty of two counts of making false statements in March 2012. The trial heard that Doherty sent abusive letters and emails to Ms Howlin, her workplace, and her GP, using anonymous accounts from an internet café. Judge Greally stated that a custodial sentence is "inevitable," citing Doherty's lack of a guilty plea and evident remorse. The judge rejected the defence's request for a community service sentence, despite character references and a psychological report detailing Doherty's severe work-related stress, depression, and anxiety. Doherty has no previous convictions and was suspended from the force but remains a serving member. She was ordered to organise her affairs before being placed into custody on Monday morning.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jail "inevitable" for garda detective who harassed State solicitor. Charges or matters: harassing a State solicitor by sending her abusive letters and emails is facing an "inevitable" custodial sentence, a judge has said. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- January 19 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2017-10-27 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: harassing a State solicitor by sending her abusive letters and emails is facing an "inevitable" custodial sentence, a judge has said (Proven)
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; In Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today, Judge Melanie Greally ordered that Eve Doherty (50) be placed into custody next Monday ahead of her sentencing in January next year, noting she has shown no remorse for her actions. "A custodial sentence of some sort is inevitable," Judge Greally said, setting a sentence date of January 19 next year. A number of character references were handed up in court, including one from a retired detective sergeant who worked with Doherty.The court heard she loves dogs and has been involved in dog rescues in the past. "She has a good and productive life and she has done good and productive things," Mr O'Higgins said. "She has spread great kindness in her life to other people." He asked Judge Greally to consider imposing a community service sentence, but Judge Greally rejected this, noting there were two very important elements lacking from the sentence hearing. "They are the lack of a plea of guilty ; She said she would give Doherty a few days to organise her affairs and ordered that she be remanded in custody on Monday morning.
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request