Former Councillor Receives Suspended Sentence for Harassment

A former councillor has been handed a nine-month suspended sentence for harassing a waitress at a restaurant in Cork, Ireland. Joseph O’Donovan, aged 50, admitted to his behavior, describing himself as “a kind of stalker.” He was found guilty of harassing a 25-year-old waitress during multiple incidents that occurred in July and August 2022.

At Cork District Court on Thursday, Judge Mary Dorgan outlined several conditions tied to the suspension of O’Donovan’s sentence. These include a prohibition on any contact with the victim. The judge noted that a probation report indicated O’Donovan is on the autism spectrum and requires support.

O’Donovan approached the waitress at the restaurant on July 30, 2022, where he was consuming wine. He flagged her down and kissed her hand, telling her she was “the nicest and prettiest girl” he had ever seen. He returned two days later, again requesting to be served by her, during which he took her hand and kissed it, before whispering that he wanted her phone number.

The waitress expressed her discomfort and asked him to leave. O’Donovan responded by throwing €50 at her before following her back inside the establishment. On August 6, 2022, he returned to the restaurant shortly before closing time, where the waitress once again asked him to exit. He claimed he could not help his actions.

After being arrested, O’Donovan explained to authorities that his kiss was intended as a polite gesture, akin to something seen in movies. Despite his claims, the victim’s impact statement revealed the deep psychological toll the harassment had on her.

In her statement, she shared that the three-year wait for a court date left her constantly looking over her shoulder. “This man looked me in the eye and called himself a creep. This man looked me in the eyes and called himself a stalker,” she recounted. She expressed that the experience made her realize O’Donovan had chosen to violate her boundaries.

Judge Dorgan remarked on the victim’s statement, describing it as “compelling reading” that illustrated the trauma inflicted. While the probation report assessed O’Donovan as a low risk for reoffending, the judge emphasized the unacceptable nature of his behavior, exacerbated by alcohol consumption.

The case highlights ongoing concerns about harassment and boundary violations in public spaces, underscoring the importance of supporting victims and ensuring accountability for offenders.