Courts / Mayo / Report
Man avoids jail for sending sinister cards after murder
Summary
A Mayo man received a suspended sentence at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court on 17 October for harassment spanning over a year. Brendan Rowland, aged 30, pleaded guilty to sending 14 malicious greeting cards to a couple in Swinford between December 2018 and December 2019. Judge Eoin Garavan noted that whilst 40 sinister cards were received in total, forensic evidence attributed only 14 to Rowland, suggesting an orchestrated campaign involving others. The cards included Mothers' Day and Christmas greetings, alongside messages signed "Joey" referencing the murder of Joe Deacy, aged 21, whose body was discovered at the recipients' home in August 2017. Judge Garavan imposed an 18-month sentence, suspended in full for two years, citing Rowland's guilty plea, apology, and rehabilitation efforts. Rowland was prohibited from approaching the Byrnes' residence or either individual within 500 metres for ten years. The judge expressed hope the matter would end the distress following Deacy's death.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man avoids jail for sending sinister cards after murder. Charges or matters: one count of harassment between December 2018 and December 2019, when he sent 14 greeting cards to Mr Peter and Anne Byrne of Gortnasillagh, Swinford. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 2018 Other
- December 2019 Other
- August 12, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 17th Hearing Or Sentence
- Christmas Incident
- 2025-10-24 Publication
Why: The judge set a headline sentence of two years and six months because of the duration, secrecy, malevolence and sinister nature of the offence, together with its effect on the victims. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: one count of harassment between December 2018 and December 2019, when he sent 14 greeting cards to Mr Peter and Anne Byrne of Gortnasillagh, Swinford (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: This was reduced to an 18-month sentence, suspended in full for two years, on foot of mitigation including Rowland's guilty plea, admissions and low risk of reoffending. 'He is apologetic and shameful; he has done a mental health first aid course and he has led a trouble-free existence since this offence,' said the judge. The judge made it a further condition that if Rowland gets into trouble either in Ireland or the UK, he would be liable to be called up to serve all or part of his sentence.
Places mentioned
- Castlebar
- Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court
- Pieta House
- Byrnes' house
Topics
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