Gemma O'Doherty, an Irish journalist, has been given an additional week to appear in court to answer charges of contempt of the High Court. The case revolves around O'Doherty's alleged refusal to comply with a court order not to harass the mother of a young man who died by suicide. The mother's lawyers requested the extra time to serve notice of the order to the police, seeking O'Doherty's attachment and imprisonment. The lawsuit involves Edel Campbell, who is suing O'Doherty over the use of her deceased son's image in a newspaper edited by O'Doherty. O'Doherty was previously ordered to remove the images and refrain from publishing any images of herself and her family. It is alleged that O'Doherty made statements in clear disregard and breach of the court's orders in a series of video posts last year. In a separate case, O'Doherty is facing legal action from Councillor Jimmy Guerin, who claims she called him a paedophile. O'Doherty argues that she was referring to Guerin's brother, who is a convicted paedophile. [7b0424ca]
In a separate case, a mentally ill man has been found guilty of harassing a barrister for years, causing significant distress. The man's harassment included sending threatening letters and emails, making false allegations, and engaging in online stalking. The barrister described the impact of the harassment as 'destroying' her peace of mind. The man has been ordered to stay away from the victim for 25 years. The incident took place in Dublin, Ireland. [552f2a9c]
Daisy Donohoe has been found not guilty of perverting the course of justice after her boyfriend, Jonathan Lawlor, murdered Sam Petrou at a caravan park. Donohoe was accused of booking a hotel for Lawlor and bringing him new clothes after the murder. However, she denied knowing that Lawlor was responsible for the killing and testified that he had verbally abused and bullied her during their relationship. The court heard that Lawlor shot Petrou with an airgun in December 2022 and warned that the next time it would be real. Donohoe and Lawlor had known each other since childhood and had a brief relationship in 2005. They rekindled their relationship in 2020 when Lawlor was in prison. The jury took less than an hour to clear Donohoe of the charges. [466444e8]
Garda killer Aaron Brady's trial for perverting the course of justice during his murder case has been adjourned again. Brady is accused of conspiring to persuade a key witness from testifying against him and sharing a video recorded statement of another witness. The trial was adjourned following discussions between prosecutors and Brady's lawyers. [d2dbde37]
In a separate case, a 25-year-old mother charged with failing to protect her two young children has been granted bail to attend a family group conference. The siblings, aged four and five, were taken to the hospital on 8 March with serious injuries, including brain bleeds, broken bones, and internal injuries. The woman appeared in the Hutt Valley District Court seeking bail, which was granted by Judge Mary O'Dwyer with strict conditions. The woman and a 25-year-old man, who have both been charged with a range of offenses including wounding and failing to protect children, have elected trial by jury. The accused have been granted name suppression to protect the children's identities. [5964d1ab]
Rose De Montmorency-Wright, a woman charged in connection with the alleged rape and murder of Katie Simpson, has received a character reference from former public appointments commissioner Judena Leslie. De Montmorency-Wright pleaded guilty to withholding information about Jonathan Creswell's assault on Simpson and the subsequent investigation into her death. The character reference describes De Montmorency-Wright as Simpson's 'closest and beloved friend' and states that she was caught up in something 'far beyond her understanding'. The reference also highlights De Montmorency-Wright's naivety and lack of appreciation for the dangers and nature of her involvement. De Montmorency-Wright, along with two other women, will be sentenced on Friday. [a89c71d9]