Longford man enters eleventh hour guilty plea to harassing female solicitor

A Longford man entered a last-minute guilty plea today (Tuesday) at Longford Circuit Criminal Court to harassing a female solicitor and he will be sentenced on Friday.

The facts of the case were presented to Judge Jonathan Dunphy and a jury last Friday and the defendant had initially denied the charge.

Patrick Cassidy (53) of Dromard, Moyne was arraigned during Tuesday's sitting of Longford Circuit Criminal Court and he pleaded guilty to harassing a female solicitor between January 1, 2024 and January 7, 2025 at various locations on a full facts basis, which means accepting the prosecution's version of events in its entirety.

The defendant had initially contested the charge and pleaded not guilty and a jury was sworn in last Friday.

However, this afternoon Diana Stuart SC, defending, informed Judge Jonathan Dunphy that a jury would not be required in the case and her client had decided to plead guilty to harassment.

Ms Stuart asked Judge Dunphy if he would be willing to sentence Mr Cassidy on Friday and he subsequently agreed.

"My plea will centre around the court not sending Mr Cassidy into custody in the immediate future but he does have some mitigation that he is anxious to progress for the court and he, of course, is willing to have no contact directly or indirectly with the injured party in this case for whatever fixed term the prosecution and the court deem fit," Ms Stuart added.

Judge Dunphy discharged the jury thanking them for their diligence and patience and he excused them from jury service for a period of three years.

As well as the harassment Mr Cassidy had also been previously charged with dangerous driving at N63 Barnacor, Longford on April 18, 2024 and a public order matter and he was served with the book of evidence last March in respect of those.

However, following the defendant's guilty plea for the harassment, the State has dropped and struck out the latter two charges.

The court was told Mr Cassidy is on bail in respect of the matters and that the State had no objection to the extending of bail on conditions already set out.

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