Courts / Donegal / Report
'Women shouldn't have to live in fear going to work': Violent rapist gets 11 years for harassment and threats to three journalists
Summary
A man with previous convictions for rape and kidnapping has been sentenced to eleven years imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for harassing three female journalists. Mark McAnaw, formerly of Letterkenny, County Donegal, pleaded guilty to charges relating to harassment that occurred in August 2023. He sent explicit and threatening emails to the women, including threats to kill, and attended their workplace. Judge Pauline Codd imposed the full sentence after McAnaw declined to accept conditions that would have suspended the final twelve months. She imposed a lifelong contact ban and ordered McAnaw remain ten miles from the women's homes and workplaces. The judge noted McAnaw's history of violent offending and his failure to engage with mental health treatment while detained at the Central Mental Hospital. McAnaw is assessed as presenting high risk of violent and sexual reoffending.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Women shouldn't have to live in fear going to work': Violent rapist gets 11 years for harassment and threats to three journalists. Charges or matters: the harassment of Ms Tallant, Ms Brunker and Ms 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
- July 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2025-06-05 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: the harassment of Ms Tallant, Ms Brunker and Ms Reynolds on various dates in August 2023 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Mark McAnaw (53) today refused to enter a bond before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court which would have suspended the final 12 months of the 11-year sentence imposed on him for the harassment of Nicola Tallant, Amanda Brunker and Deirdre Reynolds. She directed McAnaw to appear at a sitting of Dublin Circuit Criminal Court later this month in relation to the breach of conditions imposed as part of a suspended sentence.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Talbot Street
- Central Mental Hospital
- Independent House
Topics
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