Former councillor who harassed woman in Cork city given suspended sentence 

The former Cork Fianna Fáil councillor who harassed a young woman and told her, “I’m a kind of a stalker,” was given a suspended nine-month jail term today (December 4) The case against 49-year-old Joseph O’Donovan, formerly known as Gary O’Flynn, of Melvindale House, Coolowen, Blarney, County Cork, was finalised this afternoon at Cork District Court. The former councillor was present and represented by solicitor Frank Buttimer. And the victim of the harassment was also present for the sentencing.

Judge Mary Dorgan put numerous conditions on the suspension of the sentence including one where she stressed that he is to have no contact, direct or indirect, with the young woman who was harassed.

Judge Dorgan said there was a very comprehensive and helpful probation report on the defendant where it was stated that he was diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum and needing “all the help that he can get”. The judge commented that alcohol would have exacerbated his behaviour to an unacceptable level.

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 dating back to between July 30 and August 6 2022 at a location in Cork city.

Details of the background to how the parties encountered each other 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.

On the last occasion in Cork, Judge Dorgan said that she needed to see documentary proof of a number of matters referred to in the probation report. These were all presented in court today, namely 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.

As well as presenting documentary proof of these, the defendant brought €1,500 compensation to court for the injured party.

Other conditions of the suspension of the sentence today included, a €500 bond, of which €400 cash had to be lodged, attendance at every probation service appointment as required in the next 18 months, no offending and no intoxicants for the next two years.

He is also required to engage in work recommended by the probation service to enhance victim awareness and he is to attend any agencies recommended by the service.

Judge Dorgan said that if any condition of the bond was breached in the next two years then the defendant would have to serve the nine-month prison sentence.