Dublin man accused of harassing ex-senior Clare hurler Páidí Fitzpatrick over nine months

Gordon Deegan

A 38-year-old Dublin man has appeared in court in connection with the alleged harassment of ex-Clare senior inter-county hurler, Páidí Fitzpatrick, over nine months.

At Ennis District Court, Damien Lee of Locklane, Clonburris, Dublin 22, appeared in connection with being charged with the harassment of Padraig Fitzpatrick on dates between September 17th, 2020 and June 24th 2021 at various locations within the State.

The charge is contrary to Section 10(1) and (6) of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997 as amended by Section 10 of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020.

The ending of the period of the alleged harassment to June 24th 2021 came just three days before Páidí Fitzpatrick made his Munster senior hurling championship debut for Clare at Semple Stadium against Waterford at the age of 30.

The now 35-year-old Sixmilebridge club man made his Clare senior hurling debut against Dublin in March 2020, and he has five senior Clare hurling club titles with  Sixmilebridge, and continued to represent his club at senior level in this year’s club championship.

In court, Sgt Frank O’Grady said that the case against Mr Lee is to be heard in the circuit court and Garda Sarah Murphy gave evidence of serving the Book of Evidence in the case.

Sgt O’Grady confirmed to the court that Mr Lee is facing a single charge of harassment.

Those convicted of harassment under Section 10 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act face prison terms up to 10 years.

Solicitor for Mr Lee, Daniel Kreith, made an application for legal aid to represent the accused and handed in a completed statement of means to the court.

Mr Kreith said that his client is working but does have a mortgage and asked that legal aid be granted “based on the seriousness of the charge”.

Judge Alec Gabbett granted legal aid, and Mr Kreith asked that the legal aid certificate be extended to cover one barrister to represent Mr Lee in the circuit court.

As part of Mr Lee’s bail conditions, he has surrendered his passport.

Judge Gabbett said that any trial in the matter will take three or four days.

Mr Kreith said: “He is aware that it would take a number of days.”

Judge Gabbett told Mr Lee that if he has an alibi to these matters, Mr Kreith is to inform the State within 14 days on his behalf.

Judge Gabbett told Mr Lee: “think about it carefully,” and returned him to appear at the next sittings of Ennis Circuit Court next month.