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.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said a five-page probation report was before the court outlining the background to the defendant and that it was beyond comprehensive.

However, Judge Mary Dorgan said she needed to see documentary proof of a number of matters referred to in the probation report. 

The judge required 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. Judge Dorgan adjourned the case until December 4 for these proofs to be brought to court and for €1,500 compensation for the injured party.

Judge Dorgan quoted from the victim impact statement that the young woman was very upset by the harassment and that the accused said to her at one stage: “I’m a kind of a stalker”. 

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

Details of the background to the case in relation to where the incident occurred are not published in order to prevent identification of the injured party.

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

Mr Buttimer said in respect of the defendant’s qualification as a solicitor that Mr O’Donovan was no longer practising and had not done so for a long time.