Courts / Dublin / Report
TD urges women to contact gardai over unwanted messages
Summary
Fine Gael TD Jennifer Carroll MacNeill urged women who receive unwanted sexual messages to contact Gardaí after a man sent her explicit videos during the 2020 election campaign. Gerard Culhane, 43, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to harassing the TD at unknown locations between 13 January and 26 March 2020. He was given a suspended one‑year prison sentence and ordered to stay away from the TD and her workplace. Carroll MacNeill, who has no previous convictions, highlighted that her position as an elected representative added extra interest to the case and that other women also face unwanted advances. She thanked the court, the DPP, Detective Sergeant Rachel Kilpatrick and her Fine Gael colleagues for their support, and stressed that the criminal justice system is there to help victims. The TD's remarks were made outside the court on the day of the sentencing.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: TD urges women to contact gardai over unwanted messages. Charges or matters: harassing Jennifer Carroll MacNeill at unknown places within the State on dates between January 13, 2020, and March 26, 2020. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 13, 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 26, 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2022-10-21 Publication
Case subjects
Applicant
Charges: harassing Jennifer Carroll MacNeill at unknown places within the State on dates between January 13, 2020, and March 26, 2020 (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Fine Gael TD Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has urged women who receive unwanted messages to contact gardai after a man who sent her sexually explicit videos during the 2020 general election campaign was handed a suspended one-year prison sentence. The Dublin TD was present at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today as Gerard Culhane (43) was handed a suspended sentence and ordered to stay away from the TD and her place of work.
Defendant
Charges: harassing Jennifer Carroll MacNeill at unknown places within the State on dates between January 13, 2020, and March 26, 2020 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Gerard Culhane (43) was handed a suspended sentence and ordered to stay away from the TD and her place of work.
Defendant
Charges: harassing Jennifer Carroll MacNeill at unknown places within the State on dates between January 13, 2020, and March 26, 2020 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Photo: Collins) By Sonya McLean and Eimear Dodd Fine Gael TD Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has urged women who receive unwanted messages to contact gardai after a man who sent her sexually explicit videos during the 2020 general election campaign was handed a suspended one-year prison sentence.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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