Man faces sentence for 'grossly' offensive messages about female ex-garda leader
A Midlands man is to be sentenced in July for publishing 'grossly' offensive or threatening messages about a former prominent Garda representative group leader.
Antoinette Cunningham, was general secretary of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) when the offences happened over a two-week period in 2023.
Following an investigation, Andrew McGovern, 38, of School Lane, Rathowen, Co Westmeath, was summonsed to face criminal proceedings at Mullingar District Court.
He pleaded guilty in November to a charge under section 4 of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020.
Court documents state the offence occurred in the Mullingar area, March 16 to 30, 2023, and that he 'did distribute or publish a threatening or grossly offensive communication about Antoinette Cunningham with intent to cause harm.'
The charge carries a possible six-month sentence at the District Court level.
In November, the court directed the preparation of a victim impact statement to be furnished on March 6. However, on that date, McGovern failed to show up in court, resulting in a bench warrant to have him arrested.
He was found and granted bail again on March 13 with an order to appear again on Thursday.
The accused briefly sat close to retired Garda Inspector, Ms Cunningham, before moving to the opposite side of the courtroom.
When his case was called, court Garda Sergeant Orla Keenan summarised the proceedings so far and added that a victim impact statement had been handed into court in March.
The sergeant added that the injured party was present for the proceedings, but Ms Cunningham was not required to testify.
Judge Owens said she had not yet read the impact statement and noted an application for an adjournment for the Probation Service to draft a pre-sentence report.
Judge Owens recalled that when McGovern pleaded guilty on November 14, the report was directed at that stage, but the accused did not turn up on the subsequent date when the bench warrant was issued.
His failure to attend the hearing in March also led to the Probation Service not being notified that the report was needed today.
McGovern, dressed in black trousers, a pink shirt and a maroon blazer, stood forward when the case was called but did not address the court.
Asked if she wished to hear full facts and the victim impact statement today, Judge Owens said she appreciated the attendance of the injured party. However, she asserted that it would have 'more impact' if she heard from her and the evidence on the next date, when the probation report will also be ready.
Sentencing was set for July 17; Judge Owens remanded McGovern on continuing bail. Legal aid was granted earlier.
Last year, Ms Cunningham, from Limerick, announced she was to retire after 33 years with An Garda Síochána and the AGSI.
She made Irish policing history in 2018 when she was made the first full-time female official in a garda representative organisation. She was also the first woman to serve at every executive level of the association.
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