Cork man wept in court as details of his harassment of former girlfriend were outlined

Accused would not accept relationship was over and sent texts, emails, letters, and flowers to the woman over a nine-month period, court heard

Accused ordered to pay €500 to the court poor box and a further €500 through the gardaí for the victim. Picture: Larry Cummins

A 47-year-old Mallow man who failed to accept a relationship was over pleaded guilty to harassing his former girlfriend by sending her nine texts, 28 emails, nine letters and a bunch of flowers over a nine-month period.

Martin Ryan, of 92 Clonmore, Ballyviniter, Mallow, Co Cork, appeared at Cork District Court for sentencing on the harassment charge.

Judge Mary Dorgan said: “The victim impact statement is difficult to read. It shows that the matters very grievously affected her... There is no doubt that this had a very negative effect on the lady.

“It is noteworthy that there were no threats whatsoever in the correspondence.” 

Defence solicitor Daithí Ó Donnabháin said soon after Martin Ryan’s first appearance in court on the harassment charge, he admitted his guilt. 

Furthermore, the defendant went through the correct channels to apologise to the victim whereby he made no direct communication but asked the solicitor to communicate with the investigating garda so it could be relayed to her.

The period of the harassment ran from February 25 to November 18, 2020, and stopped for good on that latter date. 

Now aged 51, he has shown remorse and insight, according to the probation report, and had also taken steps to rehabilitate to ensure nothing like this would happen in the future.

Judge Dorgan directed him to pay €500 to the court poor box and a further €500 through the gardaí for the victim, and on that being done he would be given the benefit of a dismissal under the Probation of Offenders Act.

“The probation service were of the view that the communication was persistent and unwanted and it caused her upset and anxiety. He did not recognise it was causing harm to the victim at the time. He accepts fully the behaviour was not acceptable.

“He is accepting responsibility. He has demonstrated insight. He has availed of counselling support. He has not made contact with the victim since November 2020. He is now 51 years. He has established strategies to regulate his emotions. And he is a low risk of reoffending. 

"His purpose [in the communications that are subject of the harassment charge] was to initiate contact and were in no way threatening or abusive.

“He has made considerable efforts to make the necessary changes in his life… It think a salutary lesson has been learned,” Judge Dorgan said.

Mr Ryan wept as the judge went through the details of the case — many of them emerging from the probation report.