Influencer left wondering if she 'would still be here' after stalker followed her

Woman said she suffered anxiety and nightmares after the man followed her into a Dublin hotel while holding a belt and staring at her

Denis Morris, aged 24, of Braemor Rd, Churchtown, Dublin 14, at the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin where he appeared before the Dublin District Court. Picture: IrishPhotoDesk 

A social media influencer has told a court that she was in such fear after a man followed her into her Dublin hotel that she wondered if she “would even still be here” afterwards.

The 25-year-old was giving a victim impact statement to Dublin District Court on Monday during the sentence hearing of a Dublin man.

Denis Morris, 24, of Braemor Rd in Churchtown, Dublin 14, pleaded guilty to stalking the woman by "following" her from Harcourt St into her hotel lift and then to her room, while holding a belt and staring at her.

The woman cannot be named unless she opts to waive her right to anonymity.

Detective Garda Eamon Leen told the court that CCTV showed the accused spotting the victim as she exited Copper Face Jacks club around 2am on March 21 last.

She was staying in a hotel across the street.

“He pointed her out and followed her into the hotel and into the lift,” he said.

“She went up to the fifth floor,” continued Det Gda Leen. 

As she was in fear, she took out her phone to start recording. 

He explained that the accused overtook her in the corridor, but stopped as she entered her room, where her mother was waiting.

Morris exited the building through a fire escape and went back onto Harcourt St.

Tracked on CCTV and taxi app

Morris — who has no previous convictions and was not known to gardaí — was tracked through CCTV and his use of a taxi app. He was arrested at his house and interviewed three times.

He first told gardaí that he had entered the hotel to get a drink and said he thought that his girlfriend might be there.

Det Gda Leen said it was obvious that this was not the case from viewing the CCTV footage, which was then shown to the court, along with the footage the woman had filmed herself.

Under cross-examination by Fiona Pekaar, defending, Det Gda Leen agreed that nothing was found on his phone to say he had stalked her before.

He also agreed that Morris accepted that his action on the night was reckless and had put the woman in fear.

Morris was charged under section 10 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed summary disposal at District Court level, where the offence is punishable by a maximum 12-month sentence, instead of in the Circuit Court, which can consider a harsher sentence.

'I constantly have nightmares'

The injured party entered the witness box to read an emotional victim impact statement.

She said that she had been working really hard since leaving school and had become a role model for people because of her job.

She spoke about how she had told herself in January that 2025 was her year but that this incident had changed that.

She said that she had just attended an event, where she had received new work with a brand. This had made her feel confident and she celebrated with friends afterwards. She said:  

That happy, proud moment was stripped from me. 

She explained that she and her friends had made an effort to all get home safely, but she was still followed.

“I still blame myself,” she said, explaining that she wondered if she should have worn a jacket or covered up more.

“I constantly have nightmares,” she continued. "I get severe anxiety in public places.” 

She opened up about how she used to love the freedom of travelling alone for work, but that now she’s turning down work.

“It has just taken over my life,” she told the court.

She said she constantly battles with what might have happened: 

What if my mam wasn't there? Would I even still be here?

“I remember standing in the lift,” she said. “I was prepared to be hurt.” 

She said she just wanted to get as much footage as possible so that her family would know what happened to her.

She said she had to put on a brave face for the public, but that it had changed her and her family’s lives forever.

“I hope justice will be served so I can finally move on,” she said.

Statement described 'serious impact' of incident 

Judge Treasa Kelly said she had given her statement very well and had conveyed to the court the immense fear she was in at the time and the ‘quite serious impact’ it had on her life.

“This has knocked her back,” she said.

Ms Pekaar said her client had prepared a letter of apology and explained that he had been a heavy drinker at the time, but has attended a centre for his addiction issues and is clean and sober since. 

She said that this event had affected his entire family too.

She told the court that this was an opportunistic event, that he wasn't stalking the woman in advance, but that his actions were reprehensible and stupid.

Counsel said that he told her he had 14 pints that night and simply could not remember what happened.

“He's lost his job. He's lost his ability to work. He knows travel will be very difficult,” she said. “He's apologetic, beyond remorseful, beyond embarrassed, beyond ashamed.” 

Sentencing adjourned 

The judge adjourned sentencing for preparation of a probation report to see that Morris has insight into his offending and to consider a restorative justice element. She also said that the injured party may consider engaging in restorative justice.

She remanded Morris on continuing bail until February 23 next, suggesting that he might consider some sort of financial compensation before then.