‘Man reoffended 10 days after court warning’

A man convicted of harassing women reoffended just 10 days after a court warning that his freedom was hanging by a thread, a prosecutor claimed yesterday.

Actor Patrick Keaney was before Sligo District Court on bail for consideration of his behaviour after an adjournment in August.

He faced activation of an 11-month suspended sentence for harassment of a woman and neighbours if he reoffended and continued to send unwanted letters.

Prosecuting Garda Inspector Gerry Connolly said: “He did reoffend on Aug 19 — 10 days after his last court appearance.”

He said the reoffence related to a different person and was linked to occurr-ences dating back two years.

Gerry McGovern, defending, said Keaney, aged 57, had decided to appeal the suspended sentence in the circuit court. There was no new charge relating to the other person.

Keaney was convicted at an earlier court sitting of sending women unwanted letters, books, gifts, and cards. He denied offences of harassment on Aug 29, Nov 7 and 20, and Dec 4 last year.

Mr McGovern said yesterday: “It appears he is for the first time staying clear of correspondence.”

Keaney, of Mountain Close, Cartron, Co Sligo, was given the 11-month suspended sentence at the end of July last for harassment of a woman and neighbours in his estate.

Judge Kevin Kilrane had previously been told of Keaney calling to a woman’s place of work and sending her letters. Gardaí told of finding a card in Keaney’s possession with ‘RIP’ written beside the woman’s name.

Judge Kilrane said Keaney had “tortured and tormented” his victims, and later advised him that his freedom was hanging by a thread.

The judge said yesterday that as the suspended sentence order was being appealed, that was the end of the matter before him and the district court.