Cork woman admits harassing former Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O'Brien

The 42-year-old woman was allowed out on bail

Former Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O'Brien. Pic: Larry Cummins

A 42-year-old woman has pleaded guilty to harassing the former Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O'Brien. She also pleaded guilty to the harassment of another woman.

Sonya Egan, of The Lawn, Lios Cara, Killeens, Co Cork, faced the prospect of trial at Cork Circuit Criminal Court and a jury was about to be sworn in to hear the case against her.

However, her senior counsel Anthony Sammon said that she could be arraigned before the jury panel and would be taking a certain course. The 42-year-old then pleaded guilty to two counts of harassment.

Count 1 on the indictment was of harassment contrary to Section 10(1) and (6) of the Non-fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997. The particulars of the offence stated that Sonya Egan did, on various dates between January 17, 2018, and January 9, 2019, at locations within the state, harass Jonathan O’Brien.

Egan pleaded guilty to that offence.

The second charge was of harassment contrary to the same legislation and specified that on various dates between April 8, 2018, and June 26, 2019, at locations within the state, she harassed Laura O’Connell. Again she replied guilty to that crime.

Anthony Sammon, senior counsel, said: “It now becomes a matter for sentence. I am asking for a ‘for mention’ listing at some date convenient to the court. Legal aid was previously extended for the services of a consultant psychiatrist in relation to certain difficulties my client has had. 

"Quite a lot of work is required in the medical field. That is why I was looking for a ‘for mention’ date.” Judge Helen Boyle listed the case for February 22, at which time it is anticipated it may be further adjourned to a sentencing date.

Prosecution barrister Donal O’Sullivan said a victim impact statement would be required from each of the two parties referred to as having been harassed.

Pictured in a white hat leaving court on Anglesea Street is Sonya Egan, Killeens, Co Cork. Pic: Larry Cummins

Bail conditions

The defendant was remanded on continuing bail on the same conditions that require her to sign once a week at Gurranabraher Garda station, have no contact direct or indirect with the injured parties or their families, stay off all social media, make no public mention about injured parties, not discuss with anyone in relation to injured parties, except for with solicitor, and reside at The Lawn, Lios Cara, Killeens. 

Finally, it is required that the defendant only contact gardaí in the event of an emergency and that if she wants to contact gardaí otherwise she should do so through her solicitor.

No facts have yet been outlined in court in relation to the background to the harassment. This will be done by the investigating garda when the matter is before the court for sentencing.

Judge Boyle thanked members of the jury panel for showing up at Anglesea Street to be sworn in for a trial and told them their services were not needed as a result of the defendant’s plea and circumstances that arose in unrelated cases.