Dublin man pleads guilty to harassing uncle and sister with 'menacing' emails
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A Dublin recruiter harassed his uncle and sister with more than 130 "menacing" emails due to what his solicitor claimed was a "family feud", a court heard.
Ross Ennis, 46, of Dundrum View, Dublin 14, who claimed he was trying to "extend an olive branch" with his relatives, was handed a no-contact order by Judge Treasa Kelly as she adjourned sentencing for a year. The first-time offender pleaded guilty at Dublin District Court to harassment and sending threatening messages between September – November 2023.
The court heard some of the emails carried voice messages "in a menacing manner", but they were not played during the hearing. The court sergeant told Judge Kelly that the man sent 139 emails to an uncle in Kerry and his Galway-based sister. Victim impact statements were not forthcoming.
Defence solicitor Mark O'Sullivan said it was rooted in "a sad background" going back 15 years. The court heard that he and his now-deceased father had a difficult relationship, and "sides were taken".
Ennis, who worked in recruitment, became estranged from his relatives and has been living and working in the UK for several years. Mr O'Sullivan said, "This family feud got out of hand," his client had tried to extend an olive branch, but they did not want to talk to him.
The solicitor described it as an isolated incident, adding that there has been no communication since. Ennis, who is on bail, told the court he is now "sofa surfing" in the UK, and the judge noted he has been out of work since being charged.
However, he hoped to go into a business venture with two friends and was "asking for a chance". Mr O'Sullivan pleaded with the judge to consider the Probation of Offenders Act and to spare his client a criminal record.
Judge Kelly indicated she would consider that if there was no unsolicited communication between him and the victims for the next 12 months. The case resumes in May 2026.
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