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Man (31) guilty of sending underwear to two women A PORTMARNOCK man has pleaded guilty at Swords District Court on charges of harassing two women through text messages and sending them parcels of ladies underwear. Ciaran McNulty (31), 27 Blackberry Rise, Portmarnock, received 150 hours community service and a four-mouth suspended sentence when his case came before the court on Monday last. The charges were contrary to section 10 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. On the first occasion, he contacted the woman on dates unknown between September 26 and October 23 last year, the court heard. She received a number of texts, explaining that he was going to leave a parcel for her. The victim found a package containing ladies underwear in her garden. A later package contained pornographic material. The victim received many texts of a sexual nature over a number of months, leaving the woman very shaken and nervous, the court was told. On another instance, McNulty contacted a woman in the Dal Riada area, also via text message, on May 27 2005. He also left a parcel containing underwear and a letter, which included his first name and mobile number. He asked to meet with the woman, who immediately contacted the Gardai with the evidence. Speaking for the defendant, solicitor John Hennessey explained that at the time of the offences his client had a serious cocaine habit and was under severe pressure in his personal life. He realised that this was no excuse for his behaviour, but said he had no recollection of carrying out the actions, or indeed why he did it. When arrested, he was most compliant, and admitted that the hand writing in the letter was indeed his, and therefore realised he must have carried out the harassment. Mr Hennessy said that his client had been drug and alcohol free for six months now, and deeply regretted any hurt he may have caused by his actions. He had already offered €1,000 in compensation to each of his victims. Mr McNulty then took to the stand to swear under oath that he would cease all forms of communications with the women or their families. On the first charge, Judge Patrick Brady took into consideration the compensation of €1,000 the defendant was paying to the victim, and imposed a four-month sentence, suspended for 24 months subject to a number of stipulations. As he pledged under oath, he was not to approach or contact the victim or the victim’s family by any means, and abstain from taking any alcohol or non-prescribed drugs for two years. He must also continue with his counselling and treatment, and liaise with the Probation Service. On the second charge, the same stipulations applied, especially in relation to contacting or approaching the victim. €1,000 compensation was to be paid. He was also given 150 hours of community service, in lieu of six months and remanded on continuing bail until September 12.
Fingal Independent 28-06-06
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