6 month suspended sentence for sending 16 derogatory messages

Markus Antonius

This is such a non-story that I couldn't even find a link to a news article about it. It was in the news this week that a man was served a 6 month suspended sentence for sending 16 messages to a politician, some containing pornographic content.

The politician claimed she took the case on behalf of all women who experience "unwanted advances" and such.

While I don't disagree that it is highly unusual to send people pornographic images - it is absolutely disgraceful that any judge would entertain a case that involved just 16 messages whether pornographic or not.

The world, and legal system in particular has turned into a complete clown house.

SteM

I don't understand, do you think it's okay to send unsolicited pornographic material to someone? You just seem to think its highly unusual. The person that sent them got a suspended sentence, if they keep their nose clean they'll be fine. If they don't then they're stupid and deserve everything they get.

I don't understand your outrage in this situation tbh.

HeidiHeidi

What would you consider the benchmark number of unsolicited, pornographic message that's ok to send to someone before it becomes a criminal matter?

Strumms

A really odd take on events by the OP… mad.

if he got pissed and sent a few flirty messages so be it.

but 16 explicit messages including pictures of his body parts sent to a total stranger on their work phone ?

he might have gotten off slightly lightly to be fair. Think some judges would only be partially suspending that sentence.

guy is a total freak.

walshb

If it actually made it to court then there was likely malice and intent and harassment. There has to be consequences to people’s actions. Our justice system decided this was a criminal act, and that it warranted a custodial sentence. Seems like things worked right here.

Leg End Reject

It's harassment and it's certainly not normal to send unsolicited pornographic material to anyone.

gipi

https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/courts/2022/10/21/man-43-given-suspended-sentence-for-sending-sexually-explicit-videos-to-td-jennifer-carroll-macneill/

https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/concern-at-suspended-sentence-for-man-over-harassing-td-jennifer-carroll-macneill-42087004.html

The court case was covered by the media on the day.

Not sending dodgy stuff to someone is literally one of the easiest things in the world to do. Weird mind ya got there, Op.

dxhound2005

That must be a different case. One year suspended not six months, and for only 13 messages.

https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/courtandcrime/arid-40988843.html

Witcher

Thread really isn't going the way the OP envisaged.

SteM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119783325#Comment_119783325

The OP's not wrong that there are issues with the justice system in Ireland. This is not a story to to prove that point though.

Markus Antonius

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119783325#Comment_119783325

It's going exactly the way I envisaged - a slew of emotionally charged white-knights propping up and defending the farcical legal system. It's no wonder it is the way it is.

Man breaks into womans house and sexually assaults her in her bed - 1 year suspended sentence

https://www.thejournal.ie/sexual-assault-3-5605157-Nov2021/

Two men strip and assault a homeless man - 5 months suspended sentence

https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2022/08/27/news/polish_man_gets_suspended_sentence_for_assault_on_homeless_person_in_derry-2810730/

Man punches, kicks woman before standing on her neck and threatening to kill her - “it would be unjust to imprison him” - says judge

https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2022/10/12/man-who-punched-kicked-ex-partner-in-savage-attack-gets-suspended-sentence/

And yet this man, who probably has some psychological condition gets a 6 month suspended sentence for 16 or 13 text messages or whatever it was? Ridiculous.

A firm talking to would have been more than enough but instead they had to turn it into a highly charged and publicised "me too" movement

Witcher

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119783421#Comment_119783421

'A firm talking to'

Imagine being the OP's daughter or wife and being told a lad sending you photos of his mickey unsolicited is grand and he just needs a talking to because the 'Metoo movement' is out to get men.

Also imagine siding with the type of person that does this rather than an innocent woman, just because of some nonsense agenda you have.

You're a disgrace OP.

super_furry

Odds on OP being on a watchlist?

dxhound2005

I don't see any reason to include a case from another jurisdiction. Except that the thing we have in common with the North is that there would be no room in prison for all the people who get suspended sentences.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-63074104

Leg End Reject

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119783421#Comment_119783421

You also believe the moon landing was faked so your perception of reality is quite different.

Markus Antonius

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119783460#Comment_119783460

You think sending messages is worse than standing on someones neck and threatening to kill them. And you say I'm the disgrace?

Imagine being that woman who was assaulted seeing her abuser get off scot-free only to see another man get a 6 month suspended sentence for something trivial in comparison?

Incredible attitude.

Leg End Reject

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119783546#Comment_119783546

No one said any of that except you in that post??

HeidiHeidi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119783546#Comment_119783546

Maybe the problem is with the light sentences given for those other offences you listed?

Wezz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119783546#Comment_119783546

Don’t under estimate the damage messages like this can have. You might think it’s not that serious but to the person who is on the tail end of it cyber stalking and harassment can be very traumatic. Of course the other cases you referred to there are awful and those sentences are too light but don’t come on with your MeToo crap in one post defending this guy. Keep your dick pics to yourself and all will be grand.

MyLove4Satan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119783305#Comment_119783305

I am simply astounding that the writer got though that entire article without inserting 'Far Right' somewhere into it.

20Wheel

I think maybe the sentence is appropriate, but also that maybe there should have been an official out of court warning at some point.

Not that ignorance of the law is an excuse. It just seems a bit kneejerk, like 'creepy behavior' then straight to court. A bit too swift. No intermediate steps.

There may be people out there engaged in behavior they consider normal, or perhaps being foolish and making a mistake in some context, and next thing you know 'creepy behavior' boom off to court and 'sentence'.

Such a mechanism could even be open to abuse. 'Send me sexy messages and I'll meet you later' followed by 'look he sent me dirty images'.

ALSO: I can't seem to thank OP's post.

SCOOP 64

Surely he should be sent for psychiatric help at least.

Leg End Reject

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119783788#Comment_119783788

'Send me sexy messages and I'll meet you later'

If you're genuinely concerned that a request for a dick pic is a cunning honey trap ask the other person to request them via text. In fact, if you're that paranoid request everything in writing. Problem solved. 🙄

dxhound2005

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119783788#Comment_119783788

In their wisdom our legislators back in 2006 did not see fit to include this offence in those which are eligible for such cautions. But even with the changes in social media since, I doubt that the public would be happy to see it added now. If you think the sentence is appropriate, then you would be contradicting yourself by saying he should have been cautioned instead of being prosecuted.

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/justice/law_enforcement/adult_cautioning_scheme.html

20Wheel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119783813#Comment_119783813

well obviously a streetwise player like myself knows better, but there are those sort of lads out there who don't get it.

20Wheel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119783818#Comment_119783818

not really, i think the sentence is appropriate, but not the procedure.

dxhound2005

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119783835#Comment_119783835

I wouldn't want to be a politician looking for votes on the basis that sex offenders and online trolls should be added to the list who can be cautioned instead of being prosecuted.

Markus Antonius

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119783835#Comment_119783835

There is also a myriad of ways of blocking people's numbers. But no - a garda investigation, solicitors letters and court conviction. Only a politician would have such strings to pull.

20Wheel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119783850#Comment_119783850

remarkable how quickly he became the worst form of criminal.

Normal citizen. Creepy texts. Sex offender (and hence the lowest of the low in society). Is just a bit too swift imo.

HeidiHeidi

Normal citizens don't send creepy texts and pornographic videos.

Do you have a problem with him being called to account for that?

Because that's equally creepy.