Pensioner (83) recovered 'sensitive' data from woman's old phone for 'blackmail', court told
Tom Tuite
A Dublin pensioner recovered deleted "sensitive" personal data and photos from a woman's old phone and used it to "blackmail" her years later, a court heard.
Anthony Nolan (83), of Richmond Road, Fairview, was charged with harassment of a named woman from May 8th, 2021, until May 10th, 2022, under section 10 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.
He appeared at Dublin District Court for a ruling on his trial venue, where Judge Michele Finan was first required to hear an outline of the prosecution case.
The court was told it was alleged that the woman, who has a family connection to the accused, gave the pensioner her old phone in 2009, but "before she handed it over, "she wiped the phone clean of personal data."
The court was told she had used it for several years before giving it to the accused.
It was alleged Mr Nolan managed to retrieve this data, which was "of a sensitive nature" and included "messages, emails and photos that were very sensitive".
The evidence against him also included a claim that having discovered the messages and images, he refused to give the phone back and "tried to blackmail the injured party".
Judge Finan heard it would be alleged the complainant tried to "block" him, but he continued to harass her by electronic means and with messages.
The woman was not present for the hearing or required to give evidence at this stage, a preliminary hearing to consider whether the case should remain in the District Court or be sent on to the Circuit Court, which has wider sentencing powers
Judge Finan accepted jurisdiction for the case to stay in the District Court. The accused, who remains on bail, was ordered to appear again in July to enter a plea.
Mr Nolan did not address the court.
Following a request by his solicitor, Brian Tunney, Judge Finan granted a disclosure order compelling the gardai to hand over copies of prosecution evidence to the defence before the next hearing.
