Courts / Donegal / Report
Journalists speak of living in fear after harassment and threats from violent rapist
Summary
Mark McAnaw, 52, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the harassment of Nicola Tallant, Amanda Brunker, and Deirdre Reynolds on various dates in August 2023. The court heard that McAnaw, who has previous convictions including rape and kidnapping, sent explicit and threatening emails to the three women, who are journalists. He also turned up at the Sunday World's office and contacted Ms. Brunker via social media. McAnaw is currently detained in the Central Mental Hospital. The court noted that at the time of the offending, he was not taking his medication. Judge Pauline Codd adjourned the case until June 5 to prepare a probation report and obtain an up-to-date psychiatric report. The matter was adjourned and not concluded. McAnaw previously received an eight-year, four-month sentence for an attack in 2018, with the final 16 months suspended for 16 years, and was placed under Probation Services supervision. The victims described living in fear due to the threats.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Journalists speak of living in fear after harassment and threats from violent rapist. Charges or matters: the harassment of Nicola Tallant, Amanda Brunker and Deirdre Reynolds on various dates in August 2023. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- August 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 2010 Incident
- April 2018 Incident
- June 2023 Incident
- June 5 Adjournment
- 2025-03-07 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: the harassment of Nicola Tallant, Amanda Brunker and Deirdre Reynolds on various dates in August 2023 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Pauline Codd adjourned the case until June 5 to prepare a probation report and obtain an up-to-date psychiatric report.
Defendant
Charges: the harassment of Nicola Tallant, Amanda Brunker and Deirdre Reynolds on various dates in August 2023 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: McAnaw received an eight-year, four-month sentence for this in June 2023, but it was backdated to 2018 when he went into custody. The final 16 months of this sentence was suspended for 16 years, and McAnaw was later placed under the supervision of Probation Services.; Judge Pauline Codd adjourned the case until June 5 to prepare a probation report and obtain an up-to-date psychiatric report.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Independent House
- Central Mental Hospital
Topics
Related court reports
- Court upholds former Defence Force member's conviction for raping fellow soldier
- Lawyers 'concerned' over wait for evidence 20 years on from Denis Donaldson murder
- Ex-garda seeks allowance for services to Irish-language communities
- Sliabh Liag murderers appeal convictions
- Six years for Algerian national who carried out 'violent predatory' sex attack
- 'Shame on you' - rapist refuses to accept jury verdict
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request