The breakup of a relationship had serious consequences for the two young students involved. One ended up before Galway District Court charged with harassment of his former partner while the other was severely traumatised by the harassment inflicted on him.
This was the scenario outlined before Judge John Brennan this week who said a broken heart had led to very serious consequences for both parties. The victim did not wish to address the Court but a victim impact statement was presented to the Judge
The Judge said he accepted that the defendant was a very young man who reacted very badly to a broken heart and he intended dealing with the case through the Probation Act on condition there was absolutely no future contact with the victim.
“I appreciate this is Galway but if you see him you should move in the opposite direction or you risk a criminal conviction,” he warned, adjourning matters until May next.
The Judge said he was concerned about the serious consequences for the victim. He had to change his college course and suffered from panic attacks as a result of the defendant’s actions.
Sean Acton solr (defending ) said his client wanted to make a public apology to his victim who was in Court. “This was a foolish, naive and immature reaction to a relationship that was over,” he said. However, he argued that there was no suggestion of an element of threat involved. His client now fully understood the consequences of his actions and he fully admitted his guilt to the Gardaí.
He complimented the Probation Service for compiling an in-depth report. His client was 22 and completing his studies. He had never been in trouble before in his life.
Judge Brennan said he accepted the defendant had a lot going on with the breakup of the relationship but he was concerned the harassment went on over a period of months. However, he noted a very positive Probation report and that he accepted what he did was wrong.
Mr Acton pleaded that his client had few friends, didn’t take drugs or alcohol and worked part-time to get himself through college. He had sought counselling and the matter had a detrimental impact on his own health. He was at low risk of reoffending.
This article is funded by Comisiún na Meán.
