Texts and emails to psychologist ‘chilling disturbing and ominous’, says judge

A JUDGE has described texts and emails sent by a German national to a clinical psychologist as “chilling, disturbing and ominous”.

Falk Hammermuller, aged 30, was sentenced at Ennis Circuit Court yesterday to three years imprisonment, suspended for six years, for the harassment of Dr Brian Dunne.

Judge Leoni Ryenolds said that Dr Dunne “was un-nerved and feared for his own safety” after receiving the texts and emails.

In court, Hammermuller pleaded guilty to harassment offences between May 29 and June 1 last year, at a place unknown.

Judge Reynolds suspended the sentence on condition that Hammermuller be of good behaviour and, if he ever does return to Ireland, he is not to have contact, direct or indirect, with Dr Dunne.

Judge Reynolds noted the prosecution stated the texts and emails were cryptic and “contained veiled threats to the complainant”.

He said they were sent by Hammermuller due to the “mistaken belief that the complainant was having a relationship with the defendant’s partner”.

Referring to this, Garda Claire O’Shaughnessy said that Hammermuller was acting under a misapprehension. “These were issues that were not actually true.”

Garda O’Shaughnessy said Dr Dunne accepts Hammermuller was acting under a misapprehension.

In all, Hammermuller sent nine texts and two emails to Dr Dunne over the four-day period.

The father-of-two, who came to Ireland in 2005, has since returned to Germany but had an address at Oakwood Park, Ennis, Co Clare.

The texts by Hammermuller to Dr Dunne included: “Just a reminder. U r running out of time. The beast wants to be free.”

Another read: “Following the trail. Want to satisfy the demon. Hope he accepts that gift.”

An email was sent entitled “Growing sense of a hunter.”

Another text read: “Help me or I will take everything you own, everything you have and everything you have earned up to this day.”

A further text read: “If you do help me, I will reveal my identity to you and let you off unharmed in one week’s time. PS, this is no prank.” Another text read: “Extra blood pressure, nervous walking up and down. Driving nuts, losing control. Please help me Brian. I’m losing control.”

Judge Reynolds described Hammermuller’s actions as misguided and pointed out to the court that he was very remorseful.

Hammermuller came back from Germany for yesterday’s sentencing hearing and Judge Reynolds said Hammermuller’s personal circumstances are that he was the only provider in the home.