Marlies Walsh appeal rejected over harassment of doctor

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

The Court of Appeal rejected Marlies Walsh’s challenge to her guilty plea for one count of harassment. The proceedings were reported on 1 December 2023.

Walsh had received a fully suspended two-year sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, imposed by Judge Elma Sheahan on strict conditions. She was also barred from communicating with the doctor or approaching his home or workplace for 20 years.

Walsh argued that duress and ineffective legal representation affected her plea, while Mr Justice John Edwards found no cogent evidence of coercion or inadequate representation. Her separate appeal against sentence severity was to be heard later.