Urgent Investigation Launched Over False HSE Reference in Abuse Case

UPDATE: An urgent investigation is underway after it was revealed that a former domestic abuser, Anthony Mackessy, allegedly submitted a false character reference from the HSE to a judge prior to his sentencing for a brutal assault on his ex-girlfriend, Emma Hallahan. This shocking development raises serious questions about the integrity of the judicial process.

Mackessy, aged 42, was sentenced to one year in prison after pleading guilty to a horrific attack on Hallahan in January 2024. The incident involved him dragging her up and down a staircase and holding her at knifepoint in her home in Dungarvan. During his sentencing hearing in November 2024, the court received a character reference purportedly from his employer at the HSE-run University Hospital Limerick.

Authorities are now scrambling to verify the authenticity of this reference, which claimed that Mackessy would have a job waiting for him upon release. Hospital management expressed disbelief upon learning of the reference, stating they had no knowledge of its existence. An HSE spokesperson confirmed, “University Hospital Limerick and HSE Mid West have no knowledge of any reference being provided in connection with this case.”

Hallahan, who has bravely spoken out, expressed her outrage upon discovering the alleged falsification. “It was handed up to the Judge. It had headed paper from the hospital and said that depending on the outcome, his job would be there for him at the end of this,” she stated.

She criticized the system for allowing such unverified documents to influence the court’s decision, saying, “How can these letters be given with no authenticity to it if nobody checks it out?” Hallahan is now urging the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to appeal the leniency of Mackessy’s sentence, which allows him to be released on January 5, 2026, after serving time for a crime she believes warrants harsher punishment.

The DPP is reportedly considering an appeal based on the potential falsehood of the character reference. Hallahan, who has described her experience as deeply traumatic, stated, “It’s shocking to me that nobody beforehand makes contact with the person who signed this letter to make sure it’s legitimate.”

In an emotional account, Hallahan recounted the terrifying details of her assault, highlighting the depth of her fear and the psychological trauma inflicted by Mackessy. She shared, “He got me by the shoulder and he pulled me out of the bathroom holding the knife up to my throat and my face.”

Now facing the imminent release of her abuser, Hallahan is moving house to ensure her safety, as she fears for her life. “I am terrified of his release,” she emphasized, questioning the effectiveness of the safety orders in place.

This developing situation sheds light on profound issues within the judicial system regarding the verification of evidence presented in court. Hallahan is advocating for stricter regulations to ensure that character references are authenticated before being accepted in legal proceedings.

As the investigation unfolds, it is crucial for authorities to address the serious implications of this case, not only for Hallahan but for the integrity of the justice system as a whole.

Stay tuned for more updates on this urgent investigation.