Limerick woman engaged in harassment campaign against garda sergeant following collision

A WOMAN sent eleven letters and made derogatory online comments towards a garda sergeant over an 18-month campaign of harassment, Newcastle West District Court heard.

Prosecuting Inspector Gearóid Thompson told the court that a number of people were harassed by Maureen Hickey, and that he himself received a letter from the woman.

He said the offending began following a road collision - in which Ms Hickey was struck by a vehicle close to her home at Main Street, Abbeyfeale.

The 58-year-old, he said, was “dissatisfied with the outcome” of the garda investigation which did not result in a prosecution.

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Ms Hickey then embarked on a harassment campaign that involved repeatedly phoning a number of garda stations, contacting the family of Sergeant Rosealeen O'Connor, and making derogatory comments on public Facebook pages and messages.

Insp Thompson said Ms Hickey would often call the gardaí “corrupt” and repeatedly claimed they were “covering up this collision”.

The prosecuting inspector clarified that the letters sent by the defendant did not contain abusive or threatening material.

In a plea of mitigation, Solicitor Michael O’Donnell said that Ms Hickey is apologetic and is no longer harassing the gardaí. He said at the time of the offence, his client had anxiety regarding the outcome of the case.

The court heard that Ms Hickey has no previous convictions and the harassment “was a once off”.

Ms Hickey has written a letter of apology which is addressed to Sergeant O’Connor and her family.

In the letter, a copy of which was given to Judge Carol Anne Coolican, Ms Hickey stated the offence will not happen again.

Mr O’Donnell did concede that harassment “is a serious charge” but he asked the judge for leniency.

Having considered the matter and exercising her discretion, the judge applied the Probation Act meaning Ms Hickey will be spared a criminal conviction.

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