A 55-year-old bachelor who harassed an 18-year-old student by sending her anonymous letters paid her £8,500 compensation in Dundalk Circuit Criminal Court and received a four-month suspended jail sentence yesterday.
Patrick Farrell of Tankerdsrock, Kilkerley, Dundalk admitted sending the young woman the letters between January 21st and April 11th last year. In the first few he asked to meet her, but later detailed sexual acts he wanted to perform on her.
At the time she was preparing for her Leaving Certificate and found it difficult to concentrate. She became fearful. At one point letters were arriving every week, according to Det Garda Eileen Kelly. In a letter in April Farrell included his mobile telephone number and garda∅ traced him.
Farrell told Det Garda Kelly he did not know the young woman, and showed no remorse. He had no explanation for sending the letters.
Although at college, the now 20-year-old is still afraid to go out on her own. Farrell agreed with counsel Ciaran Oakes that he was sorry for the upset he caused. He had £8,500 in court by way of compensation. Judge Raymond Groarke suspended the sentence and ordered that Farrell keep the peace for three years, not approach the victim, and that the money be paid as a token of his regret.