Courts / Limerick / Report
Man appeals jail sentence for 'mistakenly sending romantic letters to wrong girl'
Summary
Eoin Hannan, aged 50, appealed a four‑year jail sentence imposed for harassing Ciara Hassett, claiming the punishment was too harsh for a case he described as "mistakenly sending romantic letters to the wrong girl." He was convicted in April 2022 after a trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for repeatedly contacting Hassett between February and August 2020, despite Garda warnings that she did not welcome his behaviour. Hannan also pleaded guilty to a separate charge of harassing Hassett's father between January and February 2021. He argued that his bipolar affective disorder and a psychotic episode in September 2023, which required treatment at the Central Mental Hospital, should have been considered. Hannan presented himself at the Court of Appeal, requesting a commutation or suspension of his sentence, while the State's counsel maintained that the sentence reflected the seriousness of the persistent, non‑violent offence and the impact on the victim. The court reserved judgment on the appeal.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man appeals jail sentence for 'mistakenly sending romantic letters to wrong girl'. Charges or matters: a separate charge of harassing Ms Hassett's father on dates between January 20 and February 13, 2021. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted
When:
- April 2022 Incident
- February 14 Incident
- August 25, 2020 Incident
- January 20 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 13, 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2024-06-25 Publication
Why: The woman was upset because she was worried Hannan would visit the house. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: a separate charge of harassing Ms Hassett's father on dates between January 20 and February 13, 2021 (Proven)
Plea: Guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; At the Court of Appeal today Hannan, who represented himself, argued that the sentence had been unduly severe and alleged there had been inaccuracies in an expert report at the time. Hannan said his conviction was for a non-violent offence which was "romantic rather than sinister" and "based on a case of mistaken identity". "Again I'd say I don't believe the gardaí should have been involved in the early stages because it was not a criminal matter to send a letter to a girl," he said. "For the reasons outlined I would beg you to commute or suspend the rest of my sentence." Eoin Lawlor BL, for the State, suggested to the court that the jail terms imposed were balanced sentences that gave "a great deal of consideration" to the effect the offences had on the victim and to Hann
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- Central Mental Hospital
Topics
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