'My anxiety has kicked back in': Cork woman calls for victim support as stalker release nears
Laura O'Connell (pictured) has undergone counselling but admits that the thought of potentially seeing Sonya Egan again induces crippling anxiety. File picture: Larry Cummins
With just months remaining until her stalker’s release from prison, Laura O’Connell fears that her own sentence is just beginning.
The mother of one is not confined by prison bars but rather an overpowering fear of reprisal and a potential return to being isolated. Isolation had previously been forced on the Cork woman by a bizarre and horrifying set of circumstances.
After becoming acquainted at a community meeting, she had no idea of the harassment campaign that would play out at the hands of Sonya Egan.
What followed were court proceedings that culminated in the imposition of a three-year jail sentence with the last year suspended on Egan. Her victims had also included former Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O’Brien.
Egan, of the Lawn, Lios Cara is understood to be due for release in the coming months. Laura fears this could mark the end of what she describes as a newfound peace and return to normality that she enjoyed while Egan was behind bars.
Crimes against Laura included the fabrication of untrue and odious rumours intended to destroy her good standing in the community. Egan would also turn up at Laura’s lectures in University College Cork as well as at her home multiple times a day.
The single mother recalled how she received a visit from an individual known to Egan who posed as a social worker in a bid to extract sensitive information. Laura says the fear she is experiencing ahead of stalker’s release is overwhelming.
However, the Cork woman refuses to be silenced. On the contrary, she is determined to use her voice to advocate for improved victim services. She expressed her frustration at the lack of professional support for people who are awaiting their perpetrator’s release.
In recent years she has undergone counselling but admits that the thought of potentially seeing Egan again induces crippling anxiety.
“It’s looking doubtful that this will end time anytime soon. It’s really unfair what the victim has to go through continuously. It looks like Sonya will be out in August which is only a few months away.
"As the date gets closer my nerves and anxiety have kicked back in. I had a little peace of mind when she was away but it’s the fear of the unknown that is probably the most difficult part to deal with. You are left to pick up millions of pieces that you didn’t realise had been left behind without any help whatsoever.”
The Cork woman said she often feels like there is nowhere to turn.
“I don’t fit into any of the charities or organisations in place to support victims of crime. Support After Crime in Anglesea Street was a wonderful organisation. However, that’s no longer there so there’s a huge gap now in terms of the support that’s available.
"Most of the organisations people can avail of deal with crimes of a sexual nature or ones with an element of violence. My situation was probably unusual in that I experienced stalking as a standalone offence.”
She told the how sometimes it can feel like there is more support for the criminal than the victim.
“If a criminal wants to fully reform then they are deserving of this support. They should be able to turn their life around. With that said, there is nothing for any of the trauma that a victim suffers. Instead, you are reliant on resources like the Samaritans because they are all that is available to you.”
Laura recognises, however, that there have been some positive developments in the criminal justice system These include the introduction of legislation in 2023 that recognises stalking as a standalone offence.
The measure featured under the umbrella of the Criminal Justice Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 brought into law by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee. A total of 11 people have been charged with staking since the legislation took effect.
Anti-stalking advocates such as Eve McDowell — whose stalker Igor Lewa broke into her home and assaulted her housemate — have also done much to raise awareness of the crime in recent years.
The horrific experience of Una Ring from Youghal is also believed to have helped bring about the current legislation. She had been suffering at the hands of salesman and Australian native James Steele.
However, Gardaí coordinated an interception as James attempted to break into Una’s property armed with a crowbar, duct tape, rope and a sex toy strapped to his body.
A number of universities and third-level institutions across the country are now also taking preventive measures to highlight the problem and support people impacted by stalking and harassment.
As part of this initiative, Munster Technological University counselling services and the National Maritime College of Ireland recently held the Shine a Spotlight on Stalking event which saw guest speakers share their expertise.
The event was spearheaded by MTU student counsellor Paul McCarthy. Detective Chief Superintendent Colm Noonan from the Garda National Protective Service Bureau was among speakers at the event.
“We are seeing an increase in people’s trust and confidence in coming to an Garda Síochána to talk about stalking but from a Garda perspective the point is that you as a victim may not be ready to engage with the criminal justice system fully,” he said.
“You may not be able to take the next steps in making a statement but that shouldn’t preclude you from contacting An Garda Síochána. We can guide you through support services."
He spoke about the prevalence of harassment and how it can damage — and even destroy — lives.
"We see people who are receiving messages who are concerned about the behaviour of a former partner. The reality is that 50% of offenders know their victims. What’s really difficult is the disruption, the fear and the interruption to a person’s everyday life.
"It’s persistent messaging and turning up at the person’s home or workplace. This disruption can destroy lives. All people want is to be able to live their lives normally and be safe. We have seen people change jobs and move houses. It can happen.”
Dola Twomey from the Sexual Violence Centre in Cork explained that stalking can erroneously be viewed as innocuous when examined in isolation.
“There can be absolutely no offence in there but when you piece it together and get the pattern we see how harmful it can be,” she said. “It’s only then that the offence becomes clear and something can be done.
"Stalking is as old as the hills but people’s reasons for it have always been the same. The only difference now is that we live in a technological era. The creators of this technology don’t look at how it can be used for these purposes. It can be really difficult to get your head around.”
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