Former Cork councillor Joseph O'Donovan told young woman 'I’m a kind of a stalker'

The judge wants to see the defendant’s commerce degree, proof of qualification as a solicitor, evidence that he attended for alcohol treatment and evidence of a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder

The court heard that Joseph O'Donovan, formerly known as Gary O’Flynn, was no longer practising as a solicitor and had not done so for a long time. File picture: Noel Sweeney

“I’m a kind of a stalker,” a former Fianna Fáil councillor told a young woman in Cork City in a case where he pleaded guilty to harassing her more than three years ago.

The case against 49-year-old Joseph O’Donovan, formerly known as Gary O’Flynn, of Melvindale House, Coolowen, Blarney, County Cork, was adjourned several times and it had been put back until Friday, November 7, for finalisation of sentencing.