Harassment accused turned on own solicitor

A solicitor representing a man accused of harassment became the victim of the same crime by his client in a case described by the sentencing judge as “harassment squared”.

Paul Danisz, aged 54, of 48 Lower Glanmire Rd, Cork, was sentenced to four months in prison, with a further 14 months suspended, following his plea of guilty to a charge of harassing Emmet Boyle at 19 Washington St, Cork, between Nov 3 and Dec 2, 2012.

Det Sergeant Clodagh O’Sullivan said Danisz had asked Mr Boyle to represent him in a case where he was accused of harassing someone else.

Danisz felt aggrieved at the way in which his mother was treated medically in the period before her death approximately 12 years ago and the harassment charge arose out of that.

Danisz later asked Mr Boyle to look into the background to his mother’s death, and the solicitor declined to take this matter further. He asked Danisz to desist in his communications with him, which were becoming increasingly persistent.

Det Sgt O’Sullivan said correspondence in the form of emails continued to come from the defendant, in which he threatened to visit the home of Mr Boyle and other unnamed parties.

Peter O’Flynn, defence barrister, said Danisz, 54, who is from the UK, had difficulties as a result of his mother’s death, believing there had been medical negligence.

Judge David Riordan said Danisz effectively became fixated and harassed the solicitor, representing him for another harassment case. It was, “if you like, harassment squared”, said the judge.

After Danisz serves his four-month sentence, the 14 months will be suspended for three years on condition that Danisz stays away from Mr Boyle, his work colleagues, and members of his family.