Influencer Shares Harrowing Experience After Stalking Incident

A social media influencer recounted her traumatic experience of being stalked during a recent court hearing in Dublin. The 25-year-old woman described her fear after a man followed her into her hotel, leading her to question if she “would even still be here” following the incident.

On Monday, the influencer delivered a victim impact statement at the Dublin District Court during the sentencing of Denis Morris, a 24-year-old man from Braemor Road in Churchtown, Dublin 14. Morris pleaded guilty to stalking the influencer, having followed her from Harcourt Street into her hotel lift and then to her room while holding a belt and staring at her.

Detective Garda Eamon Leen provided crucial evidence, stating that CCTV footage captured Morris identifying the victim as she left the Copper Faced Jack’s club at approximately 02:00 on March 21, 2023. He followed her into the hotel and into the lift, where she felt compelled to record the situation on her phone.

“He pointed her out and followed her into the hotel and into the lift,” Det Gda Leen explained. Upon reaching the fifth floor, Morris overtook her in the corridor but stopped when she entered her room, where her mother was present. Morris subsequently exited through a fire escape and returned to Harcourt Street.

Morris, who has no prior convictions, was tracked using CCTV footage and his activity on a taxi app. He was arrested at home after providing inconsistent accounts of his actions, initially claiming he entered the hotel to get a drink, believing his girlfriend might be there. The evidence presented in court, including the footage recorded by the victim, contradicted his statements.

Under cross-examination, Det Gda Leen acknowledged that there was no record of Morris having stalked the woman before. Nonetheless, he confirmed that Morris understood his actions were reckless and had instilled fear in the victim. Morris faced charges under section 10 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. The Director of Public Prosecutions directed that the case be handled at the District Court level, where the maximum sentence is 12 months.

Emotional Testimony Reveals Lasting Impact

During her emotional testimony, the victim expressed how the incident had drastically changed her life. She described her hard work and success as a role model in the social media space, emphasizing how she had looked forward to 2025 as a pivotal year. However, the fear stemming from the stalking incident had overshadowed her achievements.

“That happy, proud moment was stripped from me,” she said, recalling how she and her friends had made an effort to return home safely, yet she was still followed. She took the blame upon herself, questioning if she should have dressed differently.

“I constantly have nightmares,” she continued, revealing her struggles with severe anxiety in public spaces. The influencer also shared how her passion for traveling alone for work had diminished, as she began to decline job opportunities out of fear.

She reflected on the harrowing moment in the lift, stating, “I was prepared to be hurt.” The victim expressed her desire for justice to be served, hoping it would allow her and her family to begin moving forward from the trauma.

Judge Acknowledges Serious Impact

Judge Treasa Kelly acknowledged the profound impact the incident had on the victim’s life, commending her for articulating her experience clearly. She noted that the stalking had significantly affected the victim, stating, “This has knocked her back.”

In defense, Morris’s attorney, Fiona Pekaar, presented a letter of apology from her client, highlighting his struggles with alcohol at the time of the incident. She informed the court that he had since sought treatment for his addiction and had maintained sobriety. Pekaar characterized the incident as opportunistic rather than premeditated, acknowledging the reprehensible nature of Morris’s actions.

Morris lost his job and has faced difficulties in finding employment since the incident. Pekaar described him as “apologetic, beyond remorseful, beyond embarrassed, beyond ashamed.”

The judge has adjourned sentencing to allow for the preparation of a probation report, which will assess Morris’s understanding of his actions and consider a potential restorative justice element. She also indicated that the victim may wish to engage in restorative justice. Morris remains on bail until February 23, 2024, during which he was encouraged to consider financial compensation for the victim.