Coleraine man receives fine for stalking

A man from Coleraine has been fined after he admitted one count of stalking involving a woman from Derry at the local Magistrate's Court.

Frankie Donaghy (57) of Long Commons, Coleraine admitted a charge of stalking that occurred on April 25 this year.

The court heard that the injured party contacted police due to the behaviour of Donaghy after they had met through a dating app. 

The woman said that after some brief contact she made it clear that she did not want a relationship with the defendant.

She said he then sent her multiple messages and cards and visited her home with gifts. 

The court heard that the injured party was concerned about the behaviour escalating and some of the messages were sexual in nature. 

When Donaghy was interviewed he accepted the contact but denied that it was over the period of time the woman claimed. 

Defence solicitor Paddy McGurk said his client accepted that his behaviour was 'entirely unacceptable'.

He described the incident as 'a catastrophic mi's-reading of signals' adter what the solicitor said was 'a very short term intense relationship.'

Mr McGurk said his client was 'absolutely appalled' at his conduct and was 'very remorseful'.

District Judge Barney McElholm said that Donaghy 'had lost the run of himself'.

He fined him £500 and imposed a Restraining Order for a period of three years.