Corkman, 68, charged with harassing woman

A 68-year-old man charged with 19 counts of harassing a woman was released on bail on his sworn undertaking to stay away from her and have no communication with her.

Tom Murray of 10A Wellington Road, Cork, appeared before Judge Olann Kelleher at Cork District Court yesterday.

Murray was arrested on Thursday afternoon and was in custody until his appearance in court at around noon yesterday.

The harassment charges relate to alleged phone offences. Each of the 19 counts state that Tom Murray on a particular date, did for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to a person, persistently make phone calls to a person.

The charges refer to dates between October 2 and most recently, last Saturday, December 5.

Inspector John Deasy said there was no objection to the accused man being released on bail provided there was a sworn undertaking from the defendant that he would not make any contact with the named woman directly or indirectly.

Judge Kelleher asked the defendant, who appeared disorientated, if he understood the undertaking he was asked to give. He said he did understand and he would give the undertaking.

“You are facing several charges of harassing (woman’s name) on certain dates. Gardaí have no objection to bail provided you are not interfering with her. You cannot text her, turn up at her door, you must keep away from her,” the judge said.

Judge Kelleher, waiting for the accused to reply, said: “You don’t seem enthusiastic about it. Are you going to abide by it?” Murray replied, “Yes.”

Jim Grogan, defence solicitor, said of the accused, “He is in custody since yesterday afternoon. He is a bit traumatised. He is a bit cold and has medical issues.”

Tom Murray had the case against him adjourned until January 12.