By Fiona Ferguson
A man who harassed a former work colleague will be sentenced in January.
The 40-year-old man, who cannot be identified to protect the woman’s identity, pleaded guilty to harassment of the woman over a three-month period in 2024.
Garda Graham Collins told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that the man and woman had worked together for a time prior to the events. After leaving the employment, they would text on and off and meet for coffee, which was as much contact as the woman wanted.
The woman reported that after she declined an invitation from the man the friendship seemed to sour and his contact became abusive and threatening, prompting her to block him.
The woman received repeated phone calls from private numbers, often in the early hours of the morning. She found notes on her car saying “call me” or “I am sorry”, as well as other items including flowers.
The man attended at her workplace and contacted her employer claiming to have damaging information about her. The man also made a Facebook post which was understood to refer to her.
In her victim impact statement, she described how the events had left her anxious and afraid. She continued to be afraid to answer calls from unfamiliar numbers and had been worried she would lose her job.
During garda interviews, the accused made admissions. He said he was getting treatment and on reflection he understood the distress of the injured party.
The court heard the man pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.
The man took the stand during the sentence hearing and apologised for his “horrible behaviour” and accepted that he should not have “pursued” her. He said he had stopped using psychedelic substances and was attending counselling.
Defence counsel Keith Spencer BL said his client had made no further contact with the woman since he was charged. He submitted there had been no violence but acknowledged there was a “sinister undercurrent.”
Mr Spencer said his client had asked him to impress on the injured party that there would be no repeat of this behaviour and said the man will honour any order of the court.
He said the offences arose from a “misguided and disordered thought process” which arose after a former work colleague had shown him kindness. He said his client had a good work history and is dealing with his underlying issues. Counsel asked the court to consider a non-custodial sentence.
Ms Justice Patricia Ryan adjourned sentencing until January after hearing evidence in the case to allow a probation report to be prepared.