A former garda has been sentenced to three months in prison after being found guilty of harassing two female colleagues at Clifden Garda Station.
Mícheál Mannion, with an address at Toorena, Renvyle, Co Galway, was caught peering into the women's changing room at the station, on a number of occasions in 2019.
He was found guilty of the charges following a trial at Galway District Court last year.
His appeal against the severity of six-month concurrent sentences was heard at Galway Circuit Court today.
CCTV footage, capturing Mannion in the garda station car park, as he climbed onto a railing to commit the crimes, was shown in court.
In it, he can be seen, from different camera angles, approaching the window of the changing room and looking inside.
One charge of harassment related to offences in August and September 2019 and the second was linked to offences committed on dates between August and November 2019.
The court was told that Mannion had recently resigned from the force having been suspended from duty since the investigation into his actions commenced.
In victim impact statements today, his former colleagues detailed the extent of the disruption caused to their lives, due to Mannion’s actions.
One told how she had experienced severe anxiety and was unable to report for duty, as a result of the mental and physical pressure she felt.
The other victim said the harassment had a "devastating and damaging effect" on her and her family.
Mannion was caught peering into the changing room by one of the victims in August 2019. He assured her it was a "once off" but a subsequent review of CCTV footage showed other incidents.
The accused’s wife gave evidence to the court that her husband was the primary carer for one of their two children, who has extensive medical requirements.
She asked Judge Brian Callaghan to take this into consideration when making his decision.
Defending barrister Geri Silke reiterated an apology to both victims on behalf of her client and told the court he was offering each of them €5,000 in compensation.
Urging the judge not to impose a custodial sentence, she said Mannion was "desperately remorseful" and had "lost everything" as a result of his actions.
Judge Callaghan said the victims in the case must take precedence.
He said the bond of trust between members of An Garda Síochána was strong, but these had been broken by Mannion. This, he said, was "doubly impactful" to the victims.
He said the pre-planned nature of the incidents was disquieting and described the extended period over which the offences took place as "seriously concerning".
In light of this, he said a custodial sentence was warranted.
Allowing for mitigating factors, such as Mannion being a first-time offender and the needs of his family, Judge Callaghan said he would impose concurrent three-month sentences.
He allowed for a deferred date for the start of the jail term, to allow the Mannion family to put care arrangements in place for their daughter.
After a brief break in proceedings, it was confirmed that Mannion will return to court next month, for the formal commencement of his jail term.
