A 59-year old man who issued a threatening letter to Operation Transformation psychologist Dr Eddie Murphy has been jailed for four months.
Paul Mangan from The Green, Liffey Hall, Newbridge, Co Kildare pleaded guilty to a single charge under Section 4 of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020.
Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby told Portlaoise District Court that Dr Murphy was waiving his right to anonymity and was agreeing to lift reporting restrictions in the case.
Garda Rebecca Cleary said that on 31 October 2023 the accused entered Portarlington Enterprise Centre on Canal Road in Portarlington Co Laois, where Dr Murphy has an office, and delivered a letter for his attention before leaving.
She said in a statement to gardaí Dr Murphy initially thought that the envelope contained a Mass card as his mother had just recently died, but it later transpired that "an allegation was made that he was having an affair with the accused's wife."
Gda Cleary said a cautioned statement was taken from the accused and in it Mangan admitted to delivering the letter.
In his statement Mangan said: "The letter outlined that I knew that there was something going on with him and my wife. The gist of it was to stay away from my wife and my family.
"I did say that I would confront him. By that I meant I would speak to him about it. There was no physical threat nor would I dream of it."
Defending solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client provided full cooperation to gardaí when he was contacted.
Dr Murphy took the stand and asked for permission to read into the court record his victim impact statement.
He said: "This victim impact statement is provided by myself and my wife, as a couple who have been affected by a criminal action of an individual.
"This person inflicted significant distress and fear through his targeted and deliberate harassment, including coming to my workplace and issuing threats, and attempted to damage my personal and professional reputation. It was deeply disturbing. It has shaken our personal security.
"He sent a direct communication containing threats warning of vengeance and severe consequences, saying I will destroy you. I will confront you at your office.
"He specifically targeted my good name as a professional psychologist. He threatened to post it on specialised forums that would then go on to mainstream. That he would contact my colleagues and peers in my place of work.
"His threats were explicit, calculated and terrifying.
"He said that he was going to be utterly ruthless with the capacity for vengeance. He said that he would bring so much trouble into my world that would bring Armageddon and so much trouble."
Dr Murphy said "These threats caused emotional harm to me. It terrified me. It affected my wife. She just had a significance cancer diagnosis as well. Our home, which is a place of safety, is now a fortress. We put in security cameras and alarms. We have no sense of peace.
"The ordeal came a week after the death of my mother. It was a time when my family was in a very vulnerable state. We were thrown into a nightmare of fear and distress. I couldn't grieve for my mother for over a year, because I was so anxious and depressed.
"I was diagnosed with acute stress disorder and my GP advised that I take a month off work. I was always wondering whether he would following through on the threats."
Dr Murphy said he had never met Mangan.
Under questioning from the defence solicitor, Dr Murphy said Mangan’s wife works in the psychology services, and he manages over 40 psychologists.
He said that he worked with the accused's wife for over 20 years and had never socially met her.
Ms Fitzpatrick said her client had written a letter of apology which Dr Murphy refused to accept.
Making reference to the letter that Dr Murphy had received at his place of work, Judge Andrew Cody said it was "shocking, disgusting and despicable. It must have been terrifying."
Ms Fitzpatrick said that her client, who is originally from Co. Mayo, had recently been separated, partly arising from the incident.
She said at the age of 24 he graduated with a qualification as a registered qualified nurse. In his early 30s he began as a staff Nurse in Saint Patrick’s Mental University Hospital in Dublin and since 2017 has been in charge of a ward with a staff quota of 22 people.
She said that Mangan firmly believed that his wife, who is a senior psychologist, was having an affair with Dr Murphy "and she asserted that he was suffering with a delusional mental disorder. He felt that she was using the weight of her professional standing to categorise him as an individual with a mental disorder."
Ms Fitzpatrick said that Mangan was offering €3,000 by way of compensation for the distress he caused to Dr Murphy.
However Dr Murphy said he was refusing to accept it and instead asked that it be given to the charity Lust For Life.
Before passing sentence, Judge Cody said that he was "bemused" and questioned why the DPP did not direct that the case be heard at Circuit Court level where a higher sentence could be passed.
The judge said the letter was "as bad as you can get in terms of the threats, the name calling and the allegations."
He added: "The fact that this would be sent by a mental health professional is equally shocking. I’d hate to think that any relative of mine would be treated in any hospitals where Mr Mangan was working."
Sentencing Mangan to four months in prison, Judge Cody, at the request of Ms Fitzpatrick, went on to set an own bail recognisance of €1,000 with a cash bond of €500 in the event he wished to appeal against the sentence, which he took up before the close of court business on the day.
