Former councillor harassed waitress at work staring in window of restaurant and kissing hand
A young waitress was harassed at work by a former councillor who told her that she was the 'prettiest girl' he had ever seen, kissed her hand, tried to get her phone number and and stared at her both in the restaurant and through the window outside, a court has heard.
Joseph O'Donovan, formerly known as Gary O'Flynn, appeared before Cork District Court on Friday having previously pleaded guilty to one count of harassment. The harassment occurred on three occasions in late July/early August 2022.
Advertisement
Sgt John Kelleher told the court that Mr O'Donovan (49) went to a restaurant in Cork city centre on July 30th, 2022. He stayed for two hours during which time he was drinking wine. He flagged down a 25 year old waitress and kissed her on the hand telling he that she was 'the nicest and prettiest girl he had ever seen".
He continued to engage the young woman in conversation whilst he was in the restaurant. His behaviour made her deeply uneasy.
Mr O'Donovan of Melvindale House, Coolowen in Blarney, Co Cork returned to the restaurant on August 1st, 2022.
Sgt Kelleher said that Mr O'Donovan wanted to be served by the same waitress. He ordered food and wine. The waitress felt that he was continuously staring in her direction. He again took her hand and kissed it. He breathed in to her ear and said: "Meet me outside for a tip and I better get your phone number for it.'
Advertisement
The court heard that Mr O'Donovan then went outside and started staring in the window. Sgt Kelleher said the waitress went out and told the accused that he wasn't welcome and should leave.
'He (Mr O'Donovan) went back in again and asked (the waitress) could he see her again. He was asked to leave by management. He threw a fifty euro note at the waitress.'
Mr O'Donovan returned to the restaurant on August 6th, 2022 at around 10.30pm when the premises was near closing. The waitress told him to leave and Mr O'Donovan said that he was 'sorry' and that he 'couldn't help it'.
Mr O'Donovan was arrested later that month. He told gardai he thought young woman was 'very pretty' and that he kissed her hand in a manner seen in movies. He claimed that he had carried out the gesture out of politeness and courtesy.
Advertisement
The former Fianna Fáil councillor said that he thought his interactions with the woman were 'congenial".
He claimed that he never meant to upset her. He added that he believed that he was simply flirting with the restaurant worker. He insisted he was very sorry for what had occurred.
Sgt Kelleher detailed the previous convictions of the accused. He said the most serious of those 26 convictions involved Mr O'Donovan soliciting a person to murder three people, one of whom was a Garda Siochana.
Sgt Kelleher told Judge Mary Dorgan that Mr O'Donovan was jailed for five years with the last three years suspended in April 2015 after he pleaded guilty to soliciting someone to kill the three individuals.
Advertisement
Other convictions including offences such as deception, making gains, using a false instrument and public order.
The young woman who was harassed by Mr O'Donovan opted to give her own victim impact statement.
She said that she had waited three years to have her say in court about what happened to her.
'For three years I have never stopped looking over my shoulder when I heard steps behind me. This man (O'Donovan) looked me in the eye and called himself a creep.
Advertisement
"This man looked me in the eyes and called himself a stalker. Then laughed about it.
Laughter with a laugh that still makes me recoil in fear to this day. That moment has never left me. Because I that moment I realised I wasn't dealing with someone who didn't understand boundaries, but someone who chose to violate them.'
She said that the accused felt that his 'desire' outweighed her right to say 'no'.
'He threw money around as if that gave him the right to harass me. His actions were not misunderstandings they were deliberate. He ignored every boundary and pushed further each time. It wasn't harmless. It was obsessive and it left me terrified in places that I used to feel safe.'
She added that she would never forget Mr O'Donovan's 'stares, his weird comments or the way he would linger and wait.'
Judge Mary Dorgan thanked the woman for coming to court and for making a 'powerful' victim impact statement.
Defence solicitor, Frank Buttimer , said that his client was hugely remorseful for his actions, He said that whilst he wasn't in any minimising what occurred the offences were viewed by the DPP as being 'minor' in nature.
Mr Buttimer said that he had certain concerns about aspects of the victim impact statement. He added that his client went to the restaurant on the third occasion in order to apologise to the young woman. Mr Buttimer acknowledged that the accused had 'failed to read the situation properly.'
'If he never went to the premises again I believe we wouldn't be here.'
Mr Buttimer said that the the case was struck out in 2023 because of a failure to make progress only for it be subsequently re entered.
He said that his client was suffering from an 'over reliance on alcohol' at the time of the offence. Mr O'Flynn has a history of depression and anxiety and is on the autistic spectrum.
Mr O'Donovan hasn't had any contact, direct or indirect, with the complainant over the last three years. He gave an undertaking to the court to stay away from the woman and her family.
Judge Mary Dorgan remanded Mr O'Donovan on bail until October 3rd next when sentencing will be finalised. Up to date reports will be prepared in the interim.
Mr O'Donovan is the son of former TD, Noel O'Flynn who served in the constituency of Cork North Central from 1997 until his retirement in 2011. He recently returned to politics at council level.
Joseph O'Donovan, when he was known as Gary O'Flynn, was a sitting councillor in Cork city from 2003 to 2008.
The former solicitor took his father's old seat on the council in 2003 when the dual mandate ban came in to force. He concluded his political career five years later with his seat going to his brother, Ken who recently became an Independent Ireland TD in Cork North Central.
Noel O'Flynn has taken up the city council seat vacated by his son Ken.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Kneecap to take to Glastonbury stage today despite Keir Starmer calling for them to be axed after terror charge
KNEECAP are set to perform at Glastonbury today despite calls for the Irish hip hop trio to be banned. Frontman Liam Og O hAnnaidh was charged under the Terrorism Act after allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed terrorist group Hezbollah while saying "up Hamas, up Hezbollah" during a gig in November. 5 5 Last week the rapper - who performs under the name Mo Chara - and bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh were mobbed by hundreds of fans outside Westminster Magistrates' Court. He was released on unconditional bail - and is due at the same court on August 20 for the next hearing. Kneecap are due on the Somerset festival's West Holts Stage at 4pm on Saturday. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said it is "not appropriate" for the group to perform at the festival, which started on Thursday. Asked by The Sun on Sunday if he thinks Kneecap should play, the PM said: 'No I don't. 'I think we need to come down really clearly on this. I won't say too much, because there's a court case on, but I don't think that's appropriate.' Tory leader Kemi Badenoch also said the BBC "should not be showing" the band's set in a post on social media. Her post said: "The BBC should not be showing Kneecap propaganda. "One Kneecap band member is currently on bail, charged under the Terrorism Act. "As a publicly funded platform, the BBC should not be rewarding extremism." Lead singer from the group Kneecap arriving at Westminster magistrates court in London The band are not currently listed for live broadcast. Avon and Somerset Police said: "Ticket-holders can once again expect to see uniformed officers on site at Glastonbury Festival 24/7 throughout the festival as part of our extensive policing operation ensuring it is safe for everyone attending, as well as those who live nearby." In response to the charge, Kneecap said in a post: '14,000 babies are about to die of starvation in Gaza, with food sent by the world sitting on the other side of a wall, and once again the British establishment is focused on us... 'Instead of defending innocent people, or the principles of international law they claim to uphold, the powerful in Britain have abetted slaughter and famine in Gaza, just as they did in Ireland for centuries. Then, like now, they claim justification. 'The IDF units they arm and fly spy plane missions for are the real terrorists, the whole world can see it.' Hezbollah - founded in 1982 - is an Iran-backed Shiite militia. The Lebanese terrorist organisation voiced support for the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7 2023 before launching guided rockets and artillery shells at Israeli-occupied positions. Israel has retaliated with strikes on Gaza - and the conflict remains ongoing, with thousands of people, including civilian children, killed. Kneecap has said they "do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah", condemned all attacks on civilians, and alleged footage was "deliberately taken out of all context" as part of a "coordinated smear campaign" over their criticism of "the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people". 5 5
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Police chief, 48, reveals how she 'jumps if the doorbell goes' after 80-year-old man plagued her with stalking ordeal
A Met Police chief has told of her stalking hell at the hands of an 80-year-old man and says she now 'jumps when the doorbell goes'. Assistant Commissioner Pippa Mills said the impact of being harassed by Richard Jackson now gives her 'sleepless nights'. Jackson appeared at Worcester Magistrates' Court on Thursday after he was charged with stalking. Miss Mills, 48, told the court the pensioner first targeted her when she was Chief Constable of West Mercia Police between 2021 and 2023. The court heard Jackson had also loitered outside New Scotland Yard, when she became a Met Assistant Commissioner in 2024. During this time Jackson bombarded her with emails and messages. Colin Le Roux, prosecuting, said: 'He has no reason to email Miss Mills.' 'He has attended New Scotland Yard on two occasions.' The court heard that Jackson was angry with West Mercia Police about an event in 2004, before Miss Mills had joined the force. In a victim impact statement read out in court, Miss Mills said: 'It is literally giving me sleepless nights. 'I dread walking from the station to New Scotland Yard and back in the evening. I'm hyper vigilant. 'This has had a big impact on my lifestyle including me feeling unsafe in my home in case he finds out where I live. 'I jump if the doorbell goes.' Miss Mills said that she considered herself a 'very resilient police officer' but added: 'It feels very personal.' She added: 'I feel it would not be happening in these circumstances to a male colleague.' Chairman of the bench, Tim Hazell, slapped Jackson with a two-year Stalking Protection Order. Under the order, Jackson is banned from attending New Scotland Yard unless he has a pre-arranged appointment and cannot contact Miss Mills. Jackson has previously been handed an anti-social behaviour order for assaulting a neighbour following an 18-year dispute. He also regularly appeared outside courts wearing a placard accusing police of corruption.
Daily Mail
14 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Ex-royal aide blasts betrayal of SAS heroes - former Special Forces officer backs Mail's campaign to protect Northern Ireland veterans from legal witch hunts
A former royal aide and SAS officer has backed the Mail's campaign to protect Northern Ireland veterans from legal witch hunts. Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, a godfather to Prince George, joined the call for an end to so-called lawfare that dates back to the Troubles. This week, the Mail launched the Stop The SAS Betrayal campaign to protect troops from being hounded by the threat of legal action decades after they served. This newspaper is demanding that ministers reverse their bid to repeal clauses in the Legacy Act that provide protections for Northern Ireland veterans, or produce a proper alternative. At the centre of the campaign is a case involving 12 SAS soldiers whose killing of four IRA terrorists in 1992 has been found 'unlawful' by a coroner. They could face murder charges. Last night, a petition backing the soldiers had gained more than 155,000 signatures. A parliamentary debate on the issue is scheduled for July 14. Mr Lowther-Pinkerton, a former SAS squadron commander and principal private secretary to Princes William and Harry, and latterly the Duchess of Cambridge, said such cases put the regiment's future in jeopardy. He added: 'This is an abhorrent injustice. Though bound by the SAS strict code of discretion, I know from my experience SAS soldiers have proved they can meet any threat – except, perhaps, the one they face from lawfare. 'It seems to me the British have a decision to make. Either they move to protect their SAS soldiers – as they have protected them – or they do nothing and lose the SAS. 'In capability and character, this is a strategic asset no other country has and which – any day now – the British people might sorely need. 'This is why I wholeheartedly support the Daily Mail's campaign to protect our veterans.' Mr Lowther-Pinkerton, who rarely speaks publicly due to his previous royal roles, has joined forces with other SAS commanders and MPs such as Sir David Davis and Mark Francois, as well as former veterans minister Johnny Mercer. The father-of-four was a British Army officer for 20 years, serving in Northern Ireland, the Balkans and Iraq. His first Royal appointment was as an equerry to the Queen Mother from 1984 to 1986. His intervention came as the Prime Minister's veterans' tsar branded plans to amend the Legacy Act 'immoral' and 'two-tier justice'. David Johnstone, the Veterans' Commissioner for Northern Ireland, said up to 70 former soldiers could be forced into the dock as a result. He told The Daily Telegraph: 'It's lopsided, it's two-tier justice, and if the Government thinks that they can reverse this and there not be push-back from veterans, well, I think they're in for a surprise, because veterans are just not going to stand for it. 'The pressure is on that this Government should not make reversals that will put soldiers in the dock for doing their jobs. 'The then-Labour government came to the society in Northern Ireland, and said, 'Look, in order to have peace, you must accept terrorists being let out of jail… royal pardons, effective amnesty for terrorists'. 'Then there was the decommissioning of weapons, which meant that the evidence that could have put terrorists in prison was destroyed. So society was asked to accept all of those things. 'And yet, 27 years on, we have this ongoing vexatious lawfare which is targeting and demonising those who wore the uniform.' The Mail can also reveal that SAS veterans facing a possible criminal probe over their killing of four IRA terrorists in February 1992 are to stage a re-enactment. The reconstruction of events at Clonoe, County Tyrone, is part of a bid by the Ministry of Defence to instigate a judicial review of the verdict at Northern Ireland Coroner's Court and have the ruling overturned. Coroner Mr Justice Humphreys found the soldiers' use of force was excessive, even though the terrorists had a heavy machine gun, a medium machine gun and AK47 assault rifles. Peter Clancy, Kevin Barry O'Donnell and Sean O 'Farrell (pictured left to right) were shot dead by SAS soldiers in 1992. They were all members of the IRA and had used a machine gun mounted on a lorry to shoot up a police station Former SAS Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) George Simm said: 'The reconstruction aims to provide a true account of what happened to balance the judge's version of events. 'The team as a whole are clear in their minds the IRA fired first. Some of the soldiers observed muzzle flashes through their night sights. 'There are also accounts of thumps into the ground alongside where they were hiding. 'Forensics say there were marks on the bushes and branches. And, one of the team got hit in the face. There was no 'subject-matter expert' [expert witness] at the hearing as the judge assumed his version of events was correct. 'He gave the appearance of choosing evidence to suit his narrative, rather than looking at the evidence objectively.' Following the coroner's decision earlier this year, files have been passed to Northern Ireland's Director of Public Prosecutions, which could lead to some of the SAS veterans being charged. The Legacy Act was introduced by then veterans minister Mr Mercer in 2023 to stop Troubles veterans being prosecuted decades after the conflict. Labour's manifesto last year included a pledge to repeal it. British soldiers were said to be constantly looking over their shoulders while based in Northern Ireland and that it was an 'extremely dangerous place'. Pictured is a British Paratrooper detaining a youth during riots on Bloody Sunday in 1972 The Act was found to breach the European Convention on Human Rights, which places an investigative duty on the state where its agents may have caused death or injury. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has defended the move, telling the Mail that any government would have to repeal unlawful legislation. He said the Government was 'engaging with veterans and all interested parties over future legislation, and we will ensure there are far better protections in place'. The Ministry of Defence confirmed that it had lodged an application seeking permission to judicially review the coroner's recent findings and verdict in the Clonoe inquest'. A defence source said: 'We consider that the findings and verdict do not properly reflect the context of the incident nor the challenging circumstances in which members of the Armed Forces served in Northern Ireland. 'The MoD is funding the veterans in question to seek judicial review and providing them with welfare support.'
