Courts / Dublin / Report

Garda harassed female sergeant with Valentine's Card, emails and Facebook request

Date
2016-06-15

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

A garda stationed in Bundoran, County Donegal, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to two counts of harassment against a female sergeant at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The accused is alleged to have sent a Valentine's card, multiple emails and a Facebook friend request to the woman between February 2012 and February 2013, despite repeated warnings from senior officers to cease contact. The prosecution does not dispute that harassment occurred but contends the central issue for the jury is whether the accused was suffering from a mental disorder at the time. The court heard that the woman, who is married with children, had made clear her lack of romantic interest and that the unwanted contact caused her significant distress, affecting her work and family life. A consultant psychiatrist is expected to give evidence that the accused was unable to understand his actions were wrong. The trial continues before Judge Elma Sheahan and jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Garda harassed female sergeant with Valentine's Card, emails and Facebook request. Procedural stage: trial

When:

February 18 Other
March 11, 2012 Other
August 1, 2012 Other
February 4, 2013 Other
February 2012 Other
June 2013 Other
March 6 Other
2016-06-15 Publication

Why: She was granted annual leave following the Facebook contact from Gda Maguire because her superiors believed she was not in "a fit position to do her work". CNI source report