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Detective who harassed State solicitor appeals sentence

Summary

Eve Doherty, 51, a detective sergeant in An Garda Síochána, was found guilty by a jury at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of harassing State solicitor Elizabeth Howlin between September 2011 and March 2013. The harassment involved sending abusive letters and emails to Howlin's home, workplace and GP, calling her "corrupt", "incompetent useless hobbit" and "two‑faced bitch". Doherty denied the charge and was acquitted on two counts of making false statements. She was sentenced to three years' imprisonment in January 2018. Doherty has appealed the severity of the sentence to the Court of Appeal, arguing that prison is more difficult for her as a Garda and that no suitable open prison exists for women. The Court of Appeal has reserved its judgement. The case highlights the seriousness of harassment of public officials.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Detective who harassed State solicitor appeals sentence. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When:

• September 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
• March 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
• January 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2019-06-19 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal

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Read the original CNI report