A Garda has been found guilty of harassing a Co Waterford woman and stealing her underwear from a clothesline in her garden.
Anthony Fennelly (39), of Moonvoy Bridge, Tramore was found guilty of harassment between November 12th and 15 th, 2003 and guilty of the theft of underwear on September 16 th, 2003.
He had pleaded not guilty to harassing Amanda Cox (28) and the theft of underwear at her home in Rathfadden Park, Waterford.
In December 2001, Fennelly and his then pregnant wife, Shirley, attended a meal with her work colleagues at the Jade Palace restaurant where, it was alleged, he made unwanted advances towards a female member of the party.
Ms Cox said Garda Fennelly contacted her some days later when she was alone in work and apologised, accepting her rebuke but saying that he still had feelings for her.
The court heard that Fennelly, claiming to be responding to reports of an intruder, used a neighbour's house to get access to Ms Cox's home. She received reports that a Garda had jumped over the wall into her back garden where two items of underwear were stolen.
She was also woken from her sleep by sexual-related calls on the night of November 13th, 2003. Fennelly had printed up a number of leaflets advertising sexual services and featuring Ms Cox's telephone number.
Insp Pádraig Dunne told the court last week that Fennelly, under questioning from investigating officers, said: "I took two items of underwear, I don't know why.
"I photocopied some leaflets and put them around the town in phone boxes. I never stalked her, I sent her flowers and apologised," read Insp Dunne.