Man, 83, recovered deleted photos from woman's phone and used them for blackmail
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 8, 2021, until May 10, 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 Gardaí to hand over copies of prosecution evidence to the defence before the next hearing.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Tributes pour for retired engineer who died in Kerry road accident
Tributes have been paid to this pensioner – who was one of two cyclists to die on Irish roads within 24 hours. Paddy O'Donoghue, 78, was killed when he was struck by a vehicle as he cycled in his native Co Kerry on Tuesday afternoon. Mr O'Donoghue, who was from Muckross in Killarney, lost his life in the accident near Kilgarvan at around 1.40pm. Mr O'Donoghue was a former engineer at Kerry County Council and was well known and respected in the area. Local Non-Party councillor Martin Grady, who knew Mr O'Donoghue, paid an emotional tribute to him on Wednesday. He told The Irish Mirror: 'Paddy was a true gentleman. He loved the outdoors. He was a keep fit man, enjoyed Kerry's beauty every opportunity he got. He loved hillwalking and cycling. 'I want to offer my condolences to his family and friends. 'Paddy was an engineer with Kerry County Council. The community is saddened and shocked by his passing. May he rest in peace.' And Killarney Independent Ireland councillor John O'Donohue said: 'It is terrible news. Paddy was held in very high regard by the local community.' Fianna Fail Killarney councillor Niall Kelleher said: 'I knew Paddy. He was very caring. He was a very nice man. It is very shocking new for the entire community.' His death notice on says funeral details for the father of seven will be confirmed later. It says: 'Beloved husband of Brenda and loving father of Florence, Áine, Denise, Brenda, Báirbre, Patrick and Alice. Sadly missed by his loving family, adored grandchildren Niamh, Dáire, Edward, John, David, Lily Bea, Sadhbh, Sebastian, Abigail, Victoria, Anna, Amelia, Thomas, Hugh, Leonie, Patrick and Oscar, brother John, sisters Margaret , Kathleen and Anna, daughters-in-law Noelle and Katie, sons-in-law Martin, Charlie, Paul, Marc and Jonathan, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and many friends. 'Paddy is pre-deceased by his parents Florence and Anna, his brother Michael and sister Lily. Funeral arrangement later.' The incident happened on the R569 road, Church Grounds in Kilgarvan, Gardaí said. Mr O'Donoghue was declared dead at the scene. Gardai say the Coroner has been informed and a post-mortem examination will take place. The road was sealed off overnight, but was reopened on Wednesday morning. Gardaí say investigations are ongoing and they have appealed for witnesses to come forward. It said in a statement: ' Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area between 1pm and 2pm are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí. "Anyone with any information is asked to contact Killarney Garda Station on 064 667 1160, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station." Meanwhile, Gardaí in south west Dublin are investigating the death of a cyclist early on Wednesday. The 19-year-old died after he was struck by a van in Lucan at 7.30am. He is believed to be from the area. Gardaí said in a statement the young man died from his injuries in hospital. It said: 'Shortly after 7:30am, Gardaí were alerted after a cyclist was struck by a van at the junction of Griffeen Avenue, R136 and Balgaddy Road. 'The cyclist, a 19-year-old male, received treatment at the scene before being transported by ambulance to Tallaght Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased. No other injuries were reported. 'Garda Forensic Collision Investigators are currently examining the scene and local traffic diversions are in place. The local coroner has been notified and arrangements will be made for a post-mortem examination.' Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to the incident to come forward. The force said: 'Road users who may have relevant camera footage (including dash-cam) and were traveling in the area at the time are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí. 'Anyone with information is asked to contact Lucan Garda Station at (01) 666 7300, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.'
Irish Daily Mirror
15 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Revenue seize contraband worth including drugs and weapons worth around €821,000
Revenue officers have seized contraband with an estimated value of €821,000 in various operations in Dublin, the Midlands and Rosslare Europort over the last week. The detections were made as a result of risk profiling and intelligence led operations, and included the following: The herbal cannabis and other drugs were discovered, with the assistance of detector dogs Mollaigh, Sam, Enzo and Ciara, whilst Revenue officers were examining parcels at premises in Dublin and the Midlands. The parcels originated from the USA, the UK and Canada, and were destined for various addresses nationwide. The tobacco and alcohol products were seized in various operations in the Midlands and Rosslare. Twenty-three weapons were also seized in the Midlands. The cash amounts, which totalled €26,170 and £6,000, were seized in three separate operations at Rosslare Europort. Judge Kevin Staunton granted a three-month cash detention order in respect of each seizure at a special sitting of Gorey District Court. The counterfeit goods were seized as they were confirmed by the Rights Holder to have infringed on Intellectual Property Rights. The alcohol consisted of wine, beer, whiskey, spirits and unidentified unlabelled alcohol. The tobacco products consisted of 197,000 cigarettes and almost 3kg of tobacco, branded Septwolves, Black Eight, Amber Leaf, Marlboro, Winston, JPS Blue, Rothmans, L&B, and Benson and Hedges The various illicit drugs consisted of cannabis oil, cannabis resin, edibles, reefers, cocaine, suspected MDMA, and numerous Diazapan, Alprazalam and Zopiclone tablets. The counterfeit goods were branded Adidas, Asics, Birkenstock, Boss, , Burberry, Calven Klein, Chanel, On Cloud, Christian Dior, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Moncler, New Balance, Nike, Northface, Fendi, Polo, Ralph Lauren, Tissot, Tommy Hilfiger, Versace, Ray-Ban, Stone Island, O'Neills, Coach, and Tiffany. The weapons consisted of smoke bombs, airguns and flares. A spokesperson for Revenue said investigations into all seizures are ongoing. They added: 'These seizures are part of Revenue's ongoing operations targeting smuggling and shadow economy activity. If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on 1800 295 295.'
Sunday World
15 hours ago
- Sunday World
Widow of Jason Hennessy Snr ordered to pay €11k for care of seized XL Bully dogs
Veronica Maher, 54, pleaded that her four beloved restricted breed pets were all she had to remember her late husband, who was shot dead in a Blanchardstown steakhouse A judge has ordered the widow of murder victim Jason Hennessy Snr to pay over €11,000 for the care of her four XL Bully dogs, seized in Dublin after one escaped and terrorised gardaí. Veronica Maher, 54, pleaded that her four beloved restricted breed pets were all she had to remember her late husband, who was shot dead in a Blanchardstown steakhouse on Christmas Eve, 2023. Ms Maher, of Sheephill Avenue, Blanchardstown, came before Dublin District Court on May 28 to challenge a Garda application under the Control of Dogs Act for an order to destroy Oddie, Reggie, their mother Medusa, and the fourth dog, Joe. Jason Hennessy Snr They have been in a dog pound and given veterinary attention since being taken from Ms Maher on April 4. Granting a destruction order for all four, Judge Anthony Halpin had noted evidence of six gardaí at the scene on March 28 when four officers fled from Oddie, who escaped from Ms Maher's garden. He accepted they had to take 'evasive action to save themselves from being savaged by an XL Bully dog.' He said they were terrified, and 'I can only imagine the utmost horror which they experienced.' However, Ms Maher is to appeal, attempting to overturn the ruling in the Circuit Court about Oddie and possibly bringing a judicial review of the destruction order being extended to the other three dogs. This has led to a temporary halt on the animals being put down pending the outcome of the appeals. Today, the case resumed, and she appeared again before Judge Halpin to consider costs. Veronica Maher News in 90 Seconds - June 11th Garda Sergeant Michael Harkin said the upkeep of the dogs for the past nine weeks was €10,716, and there was a €500 vet's bill. Judge Halpin granted the costs order for Ms Maher to pay €11,216 but also acceded to Ms Maher's lawyer's application for a transcript of the original hearing for the appeal. During the earlier hearing, Judge Halpin said Odie 'left the premises and pursued the gardaí was dangerous and could easily have fatally wounded one or all those gardaí,' he remarked. Visibly upset, Ms Maher denied opening a gate to unleash the unmuzzled dog on gardai patrolling in her cul-de-sac. She said the dogs were part of her family, like their children, and Oddie slept in her king-sized bed. The judge also noted evidence that she had these dogs to protect the property. She testified that three-year-old Oddie jumped the front garden wall, and she denied the accusation that she set the dog on the garda. She also claimed Medusa had also been in the yard at the time. The court heard the other two were in cages in the back garden, and Oddie had already damaged a rear garden exit. Garda Sean McLoughlin alleged that when he got near her house, she told him, 'Get the fuck away from my house yous murderers'. He was in absolute fear for his life that he would be viciously attacked by the dog, which chased and tried to bite him. He alleged she let the dog out her front garden gate. He and three colleagues fled to different gardens, with one standing on a wall until backup arrived a few minutes later. He believed that Oddie was a credible threat and he would be set on them again. Ms Maher brought the dog back into the house, and she denied telling gardaí, 'If yous don't fuck off now, I'll get him back out here.' Witness Kayleigh McEntee, 26, of Waterville Row, Blanchardstown, was at the house and contradicted the evidence that Ms Maher opened the gate. She also said the dogs were safe and often around children. Three more gardaí said they also had had to flee to gardens in the cul de sac, with one telling Judge Halpin that he feared he would be killed. Photographs were handed in showing some of the dogs with family and children. In his ruling, Judge Halpin described one image of an infant surrounded by two enormous XL Bully dogs as upsetting 'given the potential ferocity of these animals'. He found that the dogs were dangerous and not under proper control.
