Courts / Cork / Report
Mum tells appeal she pleaded guilty to harassment under duress
Summary
Marlies Walsh, 51, of Pedlers Cross, Clonakilty, pleaded guilty on the first day of her trial to one count of repeated harassment of a Temple Street Hospital doctor in 2018 and 2019. She had contacted the doctor and other hospital staff by phone and email from December 2017 to August 2020 while her 21‑year‑old son, a kidney transplant patient, was cared for at the hospital. The judge found that Walsh had engaged in repeated harassment and imposed a two‑year sentence, fully suspended on strict conditions, and barred her from contacting the doctor or approaching his residence or workplace for 20 years. At the Court of Appeal, Walsh, representing herself, claimed she was under duress and that her guilty plea was made to prioritise her son's care. The appeal was dismissed, with the court reserving its judgement.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Mum tells appeal she pleaded guilty to harassment under duress. Charges or matters: harassing the doctor in 2018 and 2019 and was given a fully-suspended two-year sentence; one count of harassment at Temple Street Hospital, Dublin. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- December 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 2018 Other
- August 14, 2018 Other
- 2018 and 2019 Other
- 2023-07-27 Publication
Why: Walsh said that she pleaded guilty after the prosecution's opening speech in order to return home to her son. Prosecution account reported by CNI
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: harassing the doctor in 2018 and 2019 and was given a fully-suspended two-year sentence; one count of harassment at Temple Street Hospital, Dublin (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: In November last year, Marlies Walsh pleaded guilty to harassing the doctor in 2018 and 2019 and was given a fully-suspended two-year sentence. Judge Sheahan imposed a two-year sentence, which she suspended on strict conditions.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Temple Street
- Temple Street Hospital
- Temple Street
Topics
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