Woman (70) charged with harassing Kildare man appears in court
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AN elderly woman who appeared from custody on a charge of harassing a Kildare native over a period of two and a half years will have to return to court next June to learn her eventual fate in this matter.
Detective Garda Ciaran Curran gave evidence of arresting Bridget Mullavey (70) of Castletymon Green, Tallaght, Dublin 24 at 9 am that morning, and conveying her to Athy District Court for her first arraignment.
He explained how she was being charged with a single count of harassment under S10 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, and had made “no reply to the charge” when he put it to her that morning.
DG Curran explained how Mullavey sent “scores of letters” to a named individual between 15 February, 2021 and 31 July, 2023.
“She believed he was her step-brother, and she was looking for her father. She wasn’t simply seeking information, she was demanding a DNA test,” he added.
“How old is this lady?” asked a faintly bemused Judge Desmond Zaidan.
“She’s 70 now,” said DG Curran.
“I’ll accept jurisdiction,” said the judge.
The detective told the court there would be no Garda objection to bail, “so long as she stayed out of Co Kildare and to have no contact with [named individual]”.
“Two letters were also sent to a local priest,” he revealed.
“Why did she believe this was a relation?” asked a now very curious judge.
“I’m not entirely sure, but she was told by an individual that [named man] was related,” said DG Curran.
The judge then set 17 June for the full hearing, and after a brief wait, the elderly defendant in the dock had her bond signed and she was released on her own recogniscance.
