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Detective who harassed State solicitor free after balance of sentence is suspended

Summary

In 2017, Detective Sergeant Eve Doherty was convicted of harassing State solicitor Elizabeth Howlin by sending abusive letters and emails over an 18‑month period. The court found Doherty had called Howlin "corrupt", "incompetent useless hobbit" and "two‑faced bitch". She was sentenced to three years' imprisonment in January 2018, with no suspended portion, and served 20 months in Dóchas women's prison. In July 2019, the Court of Appeal suspended the unserved balance of her sentence, allowing her release on condition she does not contact Howlin or related parties for five years. The appeal also rejected Doherty's claim that evidence was unlawfully obtained under the Communications (Retention of Data) Act 2011, stating the data was not personal and did not breach her rights. Doherty remains suspended from Gardaí and her salary has been terminated.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Detective who harassed State solicitor free after balance of sentence is suspended. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When:

• September 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
• March 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
• January 2018 Other
• September 28 Other
• 2019-07-02 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal

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Read the original CNI report