DPP directs harassment case against ex-Cork councillor be heard in district court

Joseph O'Donovan is charged with harassing a woman in Cork City. File picture: Dan Linehan

The Director of Public Prosecutions has decided that the case against a former Fianna Fáil councillor for allegedly harassing a woman in Cork City could be dealt with at Cork District Court.

However, Judge Mary Dorgan said that she would adjourn the issue of whether or not she would accept jurisdiction to deal with the case at district court level.

The case was adjourned, on the application of Sergeant Aisling Murphy, to Cork District Court on March 12. 

Defence solicitor, Frank Buttimer, asked for the prosecution statements in the case to be sent to the defence.

49-year-old Joseph O’Donovan, formerly known as Gary O’Flynn, of Melvindale House, Coolowen, Blarney, County Cork, was present in court for the brief hearing. 

He is charged contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997, for the alleged offence of harassment on three dates between July 30 and August 6, 2022, at a location in Cork City.

As Gary O’Flynn, he was a councillor on Cork City Council from 2003 to 2008.