Latest news with #CriminalJustice(MiscellaneousProvisions)Act2023
Sunday World
08-07-2025
- Sunday World
Man (23) sexually assaulted woman after stalking teen girl as she walked home
Their attacker had arrived in Ireland just two months before the incidents which occurred in broad daylight last summer The case was heard in Dundalk Circuit Court. A 23-year-old man stalked a teenage girl as she walked home hours before he sexually assaulted an older woman near Dundalk town centre, a circuit court sentence hearing has been told. Their attacker had arrived in Ireland just two months before the incidents which occurred in broad daylight last summer. Oladipupo Awolaja, with an address at the time at Beacon Court, Coe's Road, Dundalk, pleaded guilty to charges of stalking and sexual assault on July 13, 2024. He has previous convictions in his native Netherlands, including two for sexual assault. The court heard that he came to Ireland with a 'vague plan' to find work. Mr Awolaja, who had the assistance of a Dutch interpreter, has been in custody since he was arrested by Gardaí on July 16. It was noted that the offence of stalking was relatively new in this country, having come into effect on November 1, 2023, following the commencement of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023. Judge Dara Hayes said that these were serious offences which crossed the custodial threshold as he adjourned finalisation of the case until Thursday. Gda Nicole McGovern gave evidence that as the 15-year-old and her younger sister walked home she noticed a man following as they walked past Londis in Quay Street, Dundalk. Such was her concern she twice crossed the road. When she sped up, he matched her pace. She was nervous and worried. Another man noticed what was going on. He initially thought the three people were together before he decided to follow. The two girls eventually went into the garden of a house. There was no direct contact with the accused. The man followed Awolaja who ran away. This person then returned to the house and spoke to the girls' parents. Later that day at 7pm a 27-year-old woman was followed from Crowe Street into Jocelyn Street and onto Jocelyn Drive as she walked home from work. In Jocelyn Drive the victim felt someone grab her bottom with both hands. When she turned around a man grabbed her upper arm to stop her moving before grabbing her crotch over the clothing. She tried to break free. A male cyclist caused the attacker to run away. He was chased by two other passers-by but managed to escape. CCTV footage was obtained during the investigation of each incident. Two days later, on July 15, Gda McGovern said that while on patrol with a colleague she saw a man matching a description given acting suspiciously. They spoke to him. He appeared 'extremely nervous'. He provided his details. As the CCTV canvass began they were able to identify the defendant as the man they had spoken to. The case was heard in Dundalk Circuit Court. Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 8th Oladipupo Awolaja was arrested the next day when Gardaí got a search warrant for a residence in Beacon Court where he was staying with family friends. He was present at the time. Items of clothing were seized. He made no admissions during interview. He denied being in Jocelyn Drive, said the clothing wasn't his and denied stalking. The accused was brought in Garda custody to Dundalk Court on July 17 where he was refused bail. There were no previous convictions in Ireland but 16 previous convictions at district court level in the Netherlands, including two for sexual assault and one for each of causing minor bodily injury and causing grievous bodily injury as well as for threats and drugs offences. Neither injured party was present at the hearing. Their Victim Impact Statements were read into the record. The 27-year-old lady said that when the assault happened she couldn't scream. Nothing came out. 'It lasted no longer than 30 seconds but those seconds changed my life forever.' She felt so alone and isolated. "It makes me feel hopeless as a woman every time I go out.' It was just her and her husband in Ireland. They lived here to work and save. She changed her job and now worked with her husband. They took the same day off together. The teenager said that she was afraid to walk alone. This went on for seven months. She was still very suspicious and 'scared to walk alone in the town I grew up in'. She rarely walked alone. Senior counsel John Berry, instructed by solicitor Niall Breen, said that he was not seeking minimise what occurred. To be grabbed by a stranger on the street had to be an extraordinarily scary experience. The stalking was scary, particularly in light of the age of the victim. Mr Berry submitted that both offences were 'at the lower end of the spectrum'. The defendant had spent almost a year in custody. He instructed that he had no desire to remain in Ireland and wished to return to Holland where he was born and grew up and where there was a support structure for him. Mr Awolaja had come to Ireland with a 'vague plan'. A probation report assessed him at high risk of reoffending. Counsel said that there was also a separate charge of affray against him, allegedly committed the month before this. Judge Hayes remarked that these were serious offences. The stalking lasted for several minutes on a Saturday afternoon. Thankfully, it drew another man's attention. He would 'undoubtedly have protected them if the need had arisen'. The defendant followed the other victim through the centre of town 'around the front and side of this building'. He sexually assaulted her. Judge Hayes said that the custodial threshold had been crossed. He remanded Oladipupo Awolaja in custody to Thursday next for finalisation. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
Sunday World
26-06-2025
- Sunday World
Garda and wife use anti-stalking laws for restraining order against senior officer
The couple are representing themselves and lodged an application at Dublin District Court, which came before Judge Aine Clancy today. A garda and his wife are using anti-stalking laws to secure a civil restraining order against a high-ranking superior officer claiming harassment and bullying. They lodged an application at Dublin District Court, which came before Judge Aine Clancy today. The proceedings are being held in camera, meaning the public cannot attend, and parties involved cannot be identified due to reporting restrictions. Brian Gageby BL, instructed by the Chief State Solicitor's Office, acted for the respondent, and the judge noted that they had filed a 63-page affidavit. Stock image: PA News in 90 Seconds - June 26th Counsel described it as an unusual case where the applicants have alleged bullying and harassment; however the senior officer's case was that he was acting in the course of his duty. The couple are representing themselves. The garda's wife said the respondent's affidavit amounted to misinformation, which she described as horrendous. Her husband also contended that the manner in which the documents were served on him "has caused severe distress and personal alarm to me and my family." He added that in future, he was agreeable to collecting any further material from a garda premises, and he raised concerns that at an earlier stage in the proceedings, other gardaí were in court as part of a police plan allegedly at the request of the respondent. The couple have summoned six other officers to give evidence, and the respondent has already given a personal assurance to stay away from the couple, their home, children and pets. Mr Gageby said that there was no difficulty with that continuing. Judge Clancy ordered the officer and his wife to file responding affidavits by July 30, and the case will be listed for mention the following day. She set aside a whole day for the hearing of the action in early October. The civil restraining orders were introduced in the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023 as a measure for people seeking protection. The District Court may issue an order to prevent the respondent from violence or threats, stalking, harassing or approaching the applicant's home, work, or school. It can run for up to five years but may be shorter. Breaking it could mean jail for up to a year and a maximum of €4,000 fine.
The Journal
06-06-2025
- The Journal
Grandmother handed three-year restraining order over online abuse of daughter and grandchildren
A JUDGE HAS imposed a three-year restraining order on a Dublin grandmother, barring her from posting online about her daughter after she allegedly harassed her and wished death on her grandchildren. The young woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, resorted to using anti-stalking laws and applied for the order at Dublin District Court. However, her estranged mother did not attend the scheduled hearing to contest the claims against her. 'My mother is harassing me,' her adult daughter told Judge Anthony Halpin, adding that she had been subjected to online abuse, including 'she hopes my kids die'. Asked why this happened, the woman, in her twenties, explained that she had been taken into care when she was young and there had been a fractured relationship since. She told the court that the posts started nine weeks ago after five years of no contact. Advertisement The woman believed her mother was 'retaliating for having no contact with or access to her grandchildren'. On reviewing printouts of the posts, Judge Halpin stated he was satisfied the woman had made a reasonable case for a civil restraining order barring unwanted contact and online posts about the applicant. He held that it was appropriate to compel the respondent from harassing or placing her daughter in fear. Judge Halpin said gardaí would serve the order on the grandmother, and the court had a wide range of sanctions available if she broke the terms. Breaching them can result in the subject of the order being brought to court, jailed for up to a year and a maximum €4,000 fine. The restraining orders were introduced in the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023 as a remedy for people seeking protection. The District Court may issue an order to prevent the respondent from violence or threats, stalking, harassing or approaching the applicant's home, work, or school. It can run for up to five years, but may be shorter depending on the presiding judge's assessment.
Sunday World
06-06-2025
- Sunday World
Dublin granny handed restraining order after wishing death on her grandchildren
"My mother is harassing me," her daughter told the judge, adding she had been subjected to online abuse, including "she hopes my kids die". A judge imposed a three-year restraining order on a Dublin grandmother, barring her from posting online about her daughter after allegedly harassing her and wishing death on her grandchildren. The young woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, resorted to using anti-stalking laws and applied for the order at Dublin District Court. However, her estranged mother did not attend the scheduled hearing to contest the claims against her. "My mother is harassing me," her adult daughter told Judge Anthony Halpin, adding that she had been subjected to online abuse, including "she hopes my kids die". Dublin District Court News in 90 Seconds - 6th June 2025 Asked why this happened, the woman, in her twenties, explained that she had been taken into care when she was young and there had been a fractured relationship since. She told the court that the posts started nine weeks ago after five years of no contact. The woman believed her mother was "retaliating for having no contact with or access to her grandchildren". On reviewing printouts of the posts, Judge Halpin stated he was satisfied the woman had made a reasonable case for a civil restraining order barring unwanted contact and online posts about the applicant. He held that it was appropriate to compel the respondent from harassing or placing her daughter in fear. Judge Halpin said gardai would serve the order on the grandmother, and the court had a wide range of sanctions available if she broke the terms. Breaching them can result in the subject of the order being brought to court, jailed for up to a year and a maximum €4,000 fine. The restraining orders were introduced in the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023 as a remedy for people seeking protection. The District Court may issue an order to prevent the respondent from violence or threats, stalking, harassing or approaching the applicant's home, work, or school. It can run for up to five years but may be shorter depending on the presiding judge's assessment.
Irish Examiner
30-05-2025
- Irish Examiner
Gardaí initiate 12 prosecutions for stalking in 19 months since it became an offence
Gardaí have initiated 12 prosecutions for the new offence of stalking since it was introduced, while 21,000 domestic abuse-related contacts have been made with the force so far this year. It also said that six of the stalking prosecutions relate to domestic abuse. The figures were released as part of Friday's so-called Go Purple Day, which is the Gardai's national domestic abuse awareness day. They say while there have been over 21,000 domestic abuse-related contacts this year, there were some 65,000 in total last year. As well as the new stalking offence leading to prosecutions, the introduction of a specific offence for coercive control has seen 52 prosecutions since it was introduced in 2019. The Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023 also saw the introduction of other new standalone offences for stalking, non-fatal strangulation, and non-fatal suffocation. Since the offence of non-fatal strangulation was introduced in November 2023, there have been 67 prosecutions, 58 relating to domestic abuse. Gardai said researchers and law enforcement professionals have determined that 'non-fatal strangulation is a leading indicator of escalating violence in a relationship'. They said it is also a significant risk factor for homicide in women. Gardai said: Some may think that immense effort is required to strangle a person, when in fact strangulation can lead to death within 60 seconds. Go Purple Day was initiated five years ago by a community policing garda Stacey Looby, who was working in Navan at the time, and who had recognised the impact pandemic restrictions were having on people living in fear. She showed how gardaí and domestic abuse support services in Navan could support people to tell them that the restrictions of movement didn't apply to those fleeing domestic abuse. To mark Go Purple Day from 2020 to today, members of the public as well as garda personnel nationwide have been encouraged to show their support by wearing something purple. Gardaí say the most recent domestic abuse statistics 'demonstrate the issue of domestic abuse is still extremely significant in 2025'. Detective Chief Superintendent from the Garda National Protective Services Bureau, Colm Noonan, said: 'The number of people reaching out to An Garda Síochána is increasing, which we see as a positive reflection of the trust and confidence people have in us. '(But) we also know there are hundreds of people who still can't make that call to their local garda station to let us know that they need help. "If domestic abuse exists in a relationship or in a family, it will always be present. If there is no crisis incident it is not because all is well, it is because the victim has made themselves as compliant as possible. "We know domestic abuse has a cruelty and a relentlessness to it. It destroys every part of a person's life. We want to reassure women, men and children that you are not alone and help is out there.' Read More Four in 10 women have been harassed or felt threatened in sports or exercise, survey reveals
