Judge ‘disturbed’ by content of messages sent to GSOC officer by Offaly man

A judge was “disturbed” by offensive messages sent by a man to GSOC investigators. 

James Sherlock (55) of 40 Clonminch Woods, Gayfield, Tullamore, Co Offaly appeared before a sitting of Portlaoise District Court where he pleaded guilty to the offences. 

He was accused of sending threatening or grossly offensive messages to a GSOC employee on May 11, May 13 and June 13 last year. He was further accused of threatening to kill or cause serious harm at a place unknown on May 26 last year. 

Detective Sergeant William Delaney from Portlaoise Garda Station said the defendant had made a complaint to the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) following a garda search at a business premises on September 23, 2022. Det Delaney said an individual had been arrested and brought to court after the search. 

He said GSOC had carried out an investigation in relation to the allegation but found there was no case to answer. The complaint was related to a serving female garda who was informed of the messages by GSOC.  

The man then sent a number of abusive and threatening messages to a GSOC investigator. 

A message sent on May 9, 2023 stated that he wasn’t surprised the investigation had found no wrongdoing as gardaí “all stick together” and he asked “is it any wonder people shoot them (gardaí).” 

Det Delaney said a second message was sent on May 11. “You dirty no good corrupt bastard, you are all the same,” it read. It went on to say he would be better “getting on to Gerry Hutch” and it went on to mention the recent murder of a serving garda member.   

The defendant sent an email on May 26 where he said “a nice bullet between her eyes would be too good for her” and it was no wonder gardaí were being shot at. 

Det Delaney said the message continued, “I hope I meet her again in different circumstances” and stated that “we will see will her badge save her” and he said the badge hadn’t saved the member who was murdered. 

The man was “fully cooperative” when arrested on suspicion of harassment in June 2023. He didn’t dispute sending the messages or emails and made himself available to gardaí at all times, said Det Delaney. He said he didn’t believe the defendant had known the name of the garda who he lodged the complaint about. 

He said the man had 27 previous convictions and had been given a six year sentence for stabbing a man.  A victim impact statement was handed in to court but the victim asked that it not be read out. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client was half the age he is now when he received the sentence for stabbing a person. 

The court was told there would have been an issue between the defendant’s family and another family in Ennis, Co Clare and he left the area. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said the matter was frightening for the garda involved but the messages had been conveyed through GSOC and the GSOC investigator had not lodged a complaint. 

She said her client was simply “in the wrong place” at the wrong time when the garda raid had occurred. She said the search had nothing to do with him. 

Det Delaney agreed and said the defendant was on the premises with a friend and both were prevented from leaving. The friend was subsequently detained for obstruction and it was from this interaction the complaint to GSOC related. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said her client was frustrated when GSOC ruled that the complaint was unfounded. She said he is a widowed man whose late wife was misdiagnosed by a hospital and died aged 39.

She said the couple had 13 children between them and he is now the sole carer for an 11 year old granddaughter who he took into his care when she was just two days old.  She said the man is a member of the Travelling community. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said her client was on “a lot of antipsychotic medication” and was linking in with local services and he had brought €1,000 to court. She told the judge the man’s granddaughter would have no support if he is jailed. 

“I am quite disturbed by the content of the messages,” said Judge Nicola Andrews. 

However, she noted his guilty plea, his apology and the fact that his more serious offending dates back to the noughties. 

She noted he was the sole carer for an 11 year old girl and the content of reports from the girl’s school. 

“She is the one keeping him out of prison,” said Judge Andrews. 

She imposed two concurrent six month sentences which she suspended for two years. She ordered that the €1,000 be handed over to the victim and granted legal aid. 

“If he ever pulls this kind of trick again there will be dire consequences for him,” warned Judge Andrews.