Courts / Dublin / Report

Judge jails "bully" for harrassing garda

Summary

Sean Carraher, aged 55, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment for harassing Sergeant Conor Gilmartin between March 2009 and May 2011. Carraher posted 58 messages on Rate‑Your‑Solicitor and Victims of the Legal Profession, alleging that Gilmartin had withheld evidence in a prior case and was corrupt. He also made up to 12 harassing phone calls. He pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and was convicted after nearly six hours of jury deliberation. Carraher had a prior 2011 conviction for harassing his wife. Judge Patrick McCartan imposed the sentence to deter others from spreading grossly defamatory information, noting Carraher's lack of remorse and use of internet anonymity. No findings of wrongdoing were made against Gilmartin. The case highlighted the impact of the harassment on Gilmartin and his family, who deleted social media accounts and a charity webpage to protect themselves.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Judge jails "bully" for harrassing garda. Charges or matters: harassing Sgt Gilmartin between March 2009 and May 2011. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted

When:

• March 2009 Hearing Or Sentence
• May 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2016-07-27 Publication

Why: Sean Carraher (55) began harassing Sergeant Conor Gilmartin because he was unhappy with the way the garda dealt with a complaint he made that his children were being physically abused. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report