Sentencing of former councillor who admitted harassment to take place next month

A former Fianna Fáil councillor who admitted harassment of a woman in Cork city three years ago had sentencing adjourned yesterday until June 27.

Sergeant John Kelleher said that while a written victim impact statement was available today – and was handed over to the defence – the injured party was presently out of the country and wanted to be present in Cork District Court for sentencing.

Judge Mary Dorgan adjourned the case for finalisation at Cork District Court on June 27.

49-year-old Joseph O’Donovan, formerly known as Gary O’Flynn, of Melvindale House, Coolowen, Blarney, County Cork, previously indicated through his solicitor Frank Buttimer that he was pleading guilty to the harassment.

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.