-
-
Author: Ronan Judge
~ 2 minutes read
A former garda who harassed two former female colleagues by looking through the window of Clifden Garda Station as they got changed, will begin a three-month prison sentence next month.
Mícheal Mannion (42), a married father of two with an address at Toorena, Renvyle, was convicted last year of two charges of harassing two female colleagues at Clifden Garda Station (pictured), contrary to Section 10 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.
Mannion denied harassing a female sergeant and her garda colleague on dates between August 2019 and November 2019.
At Galway District Court last October, Judge Marie Keane imposed prison sentences totalling six months.
At Galway circuit court on Wednesday, Mannion pleaded guilty and appealed the severity of the sentence handed down by the District Court.
Taking into account all aggravating and mitigating factors, Judge Brian O’Callaghan reduced the sentences to three months.
“It is the court’s view that when we damage fellow citizens, be they colleagues or otherwise, sometimes a custodial sentence is warranted,” he said.
Following an application from the defence, Judge O’Callaghan deferred the commencement of the sentence to next month.
The Judge told Mannion he must present himself to Galway courthouse on the morning of April 29 to begin serving his sentence.
The court was told Mannion previously resigned as a Garda.
Camera footage played in court showed Mannion standing on a hand railing in order to look into the female dressing rooms.
One piece of footage shows Mannion moving a Garda patrol van so it blocks CCTV – just before he looks in the window of the female dressing room.
Det Insp Kieran Hanley told the court the footage ‘shows an amount of pre-planning and preparation by Mícheal Mannion’.
Over 2800 hours of footage from Clifden Garda Station was viewed during the investigation, the court heard.
Urging the court not to impose a custodial sentence, defence barrister, Geri Silke BL, said Mannion ‘has lost everything’.
Both victims were present and told the court of the serious impact of Mannion’s behaviour on them and their families.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune:
Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App
Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
More like this:
Catherine Connolly says “penny hasn’t dropped” with Government on meaningful climate action
The “penny hasn’t dropped” with the Government when it comes to the importance ...
Aquisition of Galway company creates largest renewable services
A leading Irish firm has acquired a Galway company, creating one of the largest renewable energy ...
Gort teen is big winner as five Galway artists are recognised in Texaco Children’s Art Competition
A teenage artist from Gort was the big winner as Galway took home five prizes from this year’s 70...
Galway poets make final crowdfunding push to bring Poetry Jukebox to the West
It looks like the periscope in a submarine – but this is a concept to take to the highways and by...
Galway graduate suggests greater use of sport to promote daily use of the language
A young Galway man with a passion for sport and the Irish language has told a Dáil committee that...
Carrabane pupils to feature in online magazine with rap about Sustainable Development Goals
The work of pupils from Carrabane School has featured in an online magazine. It features the work...
Over 400 organ donors and families in Salthill to be honoured in ceremony in Salthill
Over four hundred organ donor recipients and their families will be celebrated at a special cerem...
Galway’s Boston Scientific and Merit Medical awarded best in class for Workplace Wellness
Galway’s Boston Scientific and Merit Medical have been awarded best in class for Workplace Wellne...
Interim CEO appointed at Galway Chamber
An Interim CEO has been appointed at Galway Chamber. Deirdre Mac Loughlin is currently a member o...