Man remanded over threatening text messages

A woman was terrified over the holiday period after receiving threatening phone calls and text messages from a man she knew.

John Geasley (aged 57) of Castlepark, Ballincollig, Co Cork, was arrested by Detective Garda David O’Regan and brought before a special sitting of Cork District Court this afternoon on a charge of harassing Bernadette O’Driscoll between December 13 and 29.

Judge Uinsin MacGruairc refused to grant bail to Geasley and remanded him in custody to appear before the same court on Monday.

One of the key pieces of evidence alleged against Geasley was given by Det. Garda O’Regan who said that he heard John Geasley making one of the phone call threats to Ms O’Driscoll on December 13.

The detective was with the complainant when she received the call and he listened as it was alleged that Geasley said, “I will get you no matter how long it takes.”

Ms O’Driscoll testified that she was in fear of the defendant.

She said that she had been friendly with the defendant since 1993.

Detective Garda O’Regan said that Ms O’Driscoll received 11 text messages from the defendant’s phone number over the holiday period.

The messages included the following:

· “You are some piece of s***.”

· “Scumbag and tramp.”

· “You have some problem on your hands now.”

· “Wrong patient, wrong medicine.”

· “Geaser is your true friend.”

Det. Garda O’Regan said that as well as the messages, there was an incident at the Mutton Lane pub on Patrick Street where the defendant approached the complainant and threw her drink at her on December 28.

He said the gardai were called and as the guards were talking to her she received a phone call with the words, “I am just across the road, I will get you.”

The detective said that Ms O’Driscoll, who is aged around 40, would only stay at her home in Ferney Grove, Mahon, Cork, if she had a friend to stay with her. She is in fear of Geasley.

Judge MacGruairc said he had no hesitation in refusing bail to Geasley.