Cork man pleads guilty to harassing former girlfriend 

A 47-year-old Mallow man who failed to accept that a relationship was over pleaded guilty to harassing his former girlfriend by sending her nine texts, 28 emails, nine letters, and a bunch of flowers over a nine-month period.

Martin Ryan of 92 Clonmore, Ballyviniter, Mallow, Co Cork, appeared at Cork District Court for sentencing on the harassment charge.

“The victim impact statement is difficult to read. It shows that the matters had very grievously affected her… There is no doubt that this had a very negative effect on the lady,” 

Judge Mary Dorgan said. “It is noteworthy that there were no threats whatsoever in the correspondence.”

Defence solicitor Daithí Ó Donnabháin said that soon after Ryan’s first appearance in court on the harassment charge he admitted his guilt. 

Furthermore the defendant went through the correct channels to apologise to the victim whereby he made no direct communication but asked the solicitor to communicate with the investigating garda.

The period of the harassment ran from February 25 to November 18, 2020, and stopped for good on that latter date. Now aged 51, he has shown remorse and insight, according to the probation report and had also taken steps to rehabilitate and ensure that nothing like this would happen in the future.

Judge Dorgan directed him to pay €500 to the court poor box and a further €500, through the gardaí for the victim, and on that being done he will be given the benefit of a dismissal under the Probation of Offenders Act.

“The probation service were of the view that the communication was persistent and unwanted and it caused her upset and anxiety,” she said. “He did not recognise it was causing harm to the victim at the time. He accepts fully the behaviour was not acceptable.

“He is accepting responsibility. He has demonstrated insight. He has availed of counselling support. He has not made contact with the victim since November 2020. He is now 51 years. He has established strategies to regulate his emotions. And he is a low risk of reoffending. His purpose (in the communications that are subject of the harassment charge) was to initiate contact and were in no way threatening or abusive.