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"Internet troll" jailed for harassing female journalists
Summary
Brendan Doolin, 37, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, for harassing six female journalists and writers through hundreds of abusive online messages between 2012 and 2018. The court noted that Doolin had left his home only twice in the previous 17 years and described him as an "internet troll." He pleaded guilty and expressed remorse, factors that mitigated the sentence. The judge imposed strict conditions, including two years of probation, a lifetime prohibition on contacting the six victims, and a maximum seven‑year sentence for any breach. Doolin used multiple email addresses and a monitoring program to send the messages, which included insults, threats, and personal images. The victims reported feeling stalked and psychologically harmed, and the court highlighted the severity of the online harassment. The case underscored the court's view that such conduct constitutes serious criminal behaviour.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "Internet troll" jailed for harassing female journalists. Charges or matters: harassing Sarah Griffin, Kate McEvoy, Sinead O'Carroll, Christine Bohan, Roe McDermott and Aoife Barry on dates between May 2012 and February 2018. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 2012 Other
- February 2018 Other
- 2019-11-14 Publication
Why: Doolin first messaged news editor, Aoife Barry, in response to an article she wrote about male suicide in which he said "I will probably kill myself in the next few years, probably won't do it now because I am a big chicken". CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: harassing Sarah Griffin, Kate McEvoy, Sinead O'Carroll, Christine Bohan, Roe McDermott and Aoife Barry on dates between May 2012 and February 2018 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Nolan sentenced Doolin to five years imprisonment, but suspended the final two years of the sentence on strict condition including that he be under supervision of the Probation Service for two years post release and not contact any of the complainants for the rest of his life.
Places mentioned
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