Latest news with #Kelleher
Sunday World
18 hours ago
- Sunday World
Former Fianna Fáil councillor harassed waitress, leaving her in fear, court hears
'For three years I have never stopped looking over my shoulder when I heard steps behind me' A young waitress was harassed at work by a former councillor who told her that she was the 'prettiest girl' he had ever seen, kissed her hand, tried to get her phone number and and stared at her both in the restaurant and through the window outside, a court has heard. Joseph O'Donovan, formerly known as Gary O'Flynn, appeared before Cork District Court today having previously pleaded guilty to one count of harassment. The harassment occurred on three occasions in late July/early August 2022. Sgt John Kelleher told the court that Mr O'Donovan (49) went to a restaurant in Cork city centre on July 30th, 2022. He stayed for two hours during which time he was drinking wine. Joseph O'Donovan, who changed his name from Gary O'Flynn. Photo: Daragh Mc Sweeney/Cork Courts Ltd News in 90 Seconds - June 27th He flagged down a 25 year old waitress and kissed her on the hand telling he that she was 'the nicest and prettiest girl he had ever seen.' He continued to engage the young woman in conversation whilst he was in the restaurant. His behaviour made her deeply uneasy. Mr O'Donovan of Melvindale House, Coolowen in Blarney, Co Cork returned to the restaurant on August 1st, 2022. Sgt Kelleher said that Mr O'Donovan wanted to be served by the same waitress. He ordered food and wine. The waitress felt that he was continuously staring in her direction. He again took her hand and kissed it. He breathed in to her ear and said: 'Meet me outside for a tip and I better get your phone number for it.' The court heard that Mr O'Donovan then went outside and started staring in the window. Sgt Kelleher said the waitress went out and told the accused that he wasn't welcome and should leave. 'He (Mr O'Donovan) went back in again and asked (the waitress) could he see her again. He was asked to leave by management. He threw a fifty euro note at the waitress.' Mr O'Donovan returned to the restaurant on August 6th, 2022 at around 10.30pm when the premises was near closing. The waitress told him to leave and Mr O'Donovan said that he was 'sorry' and that he 'couldn't help it'. Mr O'Donovan was arrested later that month. He told gardai he thought young woman was 'very pretty' and that he kissed her hand in a manner seen in movies. He claimed that he had carried out the gesture out of politeness and courtesy. The former Fianna Fáil councillor said that he thought his interactions with the woman were 'congenial.' He claimed that he never meant to upset her. He added that he believed that he was simply flirting with the restaurant worker. He insisted he was very sorry for what had occurred. Sgt Kelleher detailed the previous convictions of the accused. He said the most serious of those 26 convictions involved Mr O'Donovan soliciting a person to murder three people, one of whom was a Garda Siochana. Sgt Kelleher told Judge Mary Dorgan that Mr O'Donovan was jailed for five years with the last three years suspended in April 2015 after he pleaded guilty to soliciting someone to kill the three individuals. Other convictions including offences such as deception, making gains, using a false instrument and public order. The young woman who was harassed by Mr O'Donovan opted to give her own victim impact statement. She said that she had waited three years to have her say in court about what happened to her. 'For three years I have never stopped looking over my shoulder when I heard steps behind me. This man (O'Donovan) looked me in the eye and called himself a creep. This man looked me in the eyes and called himself a stalker. Then laughed about it. 'Laughter with a laugh that still makes me recoil in fear to this day. That moment has never left me. Because I that moment I realised I wasn't dealing with someone who didn't understand boundaries, but someone who chose to violate them.' She said that the accused felt that his 'desire' outweighed her right to say 'no'. 'He threw money around as if that gave him the right to harass me. His actions were not misunderstandings they were deliberate. He ignored every boundary and pushed further each time. It wasn't harmless. It was obsessive and it left me terrified in places that I used to feel safe.' She added that she would never forget Mr O'Donovan's 'stares, his weird comments or the way he would linger and wait.' Judge Mary Dorgan thanked the woman for coming to court and for making a 'powerful' victim impact statement. Defence solicitor, Frank Buttimer , said that his client was hugely remorseful for his actions, He said that whilst he wasn't in any minimising what occurred the offences were viewed by the DPP as being 'minor' in nature. Mr Buttimer said that he had certain concerns about aspects of the victim impact statement. He added that his client went to the restaurant on the third occasion in order to apologise to the young woman. Mr Buttimer acknowledged that the accused had 'failed to read the situation properly.' 'If he never went to the premises again I believe we wouldn't be here.' Mr Buttimer said that the the case was struck out in 2023 because of a failure to make progress only for it be subsequently re entered. He said that his client was suffering from an 'over reliance on alcohol' at the time of the offence. Mr O'Flynn has a history of depression and anxiety and is on the autistic spectrum. Mr O'Donovan hasn't had any contact, direct or indirect, with the complainant over the last three years. He gave an undertaking to the court to stay away from the woman and her family. Judge Mary Dorgan remanded Mr O'Donovan on bail until October 3rd next when sentencing will be finalised. Up to date reports will be prepared in the interim. Mr O'Donovan is the son of former TD, Noel O'Flynn who served in the constituency of Cork North Central from 1997 until his retirement in 2011. He recently returned to politics at council level. Joseph O'Donovan, when he was known as Gary O'Flynn, was a sitting councillor in Cork city from 2003 to 2008. The former solicitor took his father's old seat on the council in 2003 when the dual mandate ban came in to force. He concluded his political career five years later with his seat going to his brother, Ken who recently became an Independent Ireland TD in Cork North Central. Noel O'Flynn has taken up the city council seat vacated by his son Ken.
Irish Examiner
21 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Former Cork councillor looked woman 'dead in the eyes and called himself a stalker', court told
A former Fianna Fáil councillor charged with harassment looked a young woman 'dead in the eyes and called himself a stalker,' a court has heard. He then laughed and 'that laugh makes me recoil in fear to this day,' the young woman said in her victim impact statement which she read to Cork District Court on Friday. Joseph O'Donovan, formerly known as Gary O'Flynn, who has 26 previous convictions, including for soliciting a person to murder three people including a garda, pleaded guilty to harassment. Mr O'Donovan, aged 50 of Melvindale House, Coolowen, Blarney, County Cork, admitted to a charge contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997, for the offence of harassment on three dates between July 30 and August 6, 2022, at a location in Cork City. The harassment The 25-year-old woman was working in a popular city centre restaurant where Mr O'Donovan was drinking wine on July 30, 2022. He flagged her as she walked past, took her hand, kissed it, and told her she 'was the nicest and prettiest girl he had ever seen,' Sergeant John Kelleher told Cork District Court. She was uncomfortable with the attention and walked away, the court heard. Mr O'Donovan then returned the next day and told her he only wanted her to serve him. He ordered food and wine. He was staring at her and kissed her hand again, Sgt Kelleher said. The victim again felt very uncomfortable. He left, but returned when she was cleaning at the end of her shift. He breathed into her ear, and said: "Meet me outside for a tip and I better get your phone number for it." He then went outside and stared in the window at her, the court heard. The complainant told him to leave her alone, Sgt Kelleher said. 'But he came in, leaned over her ear and asked when he could see her again,' Sgt Kelleher said. He was asked to leave by the manager again and as he left he threw a €50 note at her. She again found him standing in front of her while she was at work. He said he was sorry if he scared her and said he 'couldn't help it'. He was reported to gardaí and was arrested. Joseph O'Donovan arriving at the Cork District Court on Friday. Picture: Noel Sweeney He told gardaí that he found the complainant 'very pretty' and said he 'kissed her hand out of etiquette, like they do in the movies.' He had felt things were 'very congenial between them' and thought they were 'flirting'. He told gardaí that his intention was never to upset her. When he was asked to leave by the manager, he said he only returned to give her a tip. Sgt Kelleher said that when gardaí were called to the city centre restaurant, the injured party was 'distraught and terrified'. The defendant was 'somewhat intoxicated' and said 'this must be about [injured party's name],' when they approached him. Victim impact statement Reading her victim impact statement to court, the woman said that she 'never imagined that something as ordinary as going to work could turn into something I'd carry with me for years.' 'I was just doing my job, smiling, being polite and trying to get through my shift. But one man, this man, took my professionalism as permission. When I said no, he didn't stop. And from that moment on, I stopped feeling safe." Some 'instinctual alarm bell' went off in her body telling her to run when he grabbed her hand very tightly and kissed it, she said. He decided that my body, my attention, my presence were his to take. 'I never forgot his stares. His weird comments. The way he lingered and waited; during my breaks, after my shift.' He had claimed their meetings were 'serendipity', a word that still gives the woman chills. "There was no serendipity in that moment. He had waited for me. There was no luck, no chance, just a man who created a trap and tried to cover it in romance.' She has felt so fearful of him finding her that it has stopped her leaving her home. 'It left me terrified in places that I used to feel safe,' she said. Mr O'Donovan looked her in the eyes and told her he was a 'creep' and a 'stalker', she said. 'How can a man so boldly, so confidently label himself with these disgusting titles, then laugh about it? I can only assume it's because he expected to get away with it.' Defence solicitor, Frank Buttimer, said that his client had pleaded guilty. His client had visited the restaurant three times over six days, he said. On his third visit to the restaurant, he had apologised. But this visit upset the woman so much that the gardaí were called. After this, he had stayed away from the woman, Mr Buttimer said. When he was arrested, he gave gardaí 'an extremely lengthy statement' and said he was very sorry 'for the way it was picked up' and 'apologised profusely.' He 'never thought it went to the point where she was upset,' Mr Buttimer said. Mr Buttimer said his client had lived under very strict bail conditions following his arrest and had had no contact with the complainant. He had engaged with a consultant psychiatrist since the incidents, Mr Buttimer said. He had been told he was on the autistic spectrum and was diagnosed with a depressive type illness. Joseph O'Donovan had visited the restaurant three times over six days. Picture: Noel Sweeney Judge Mary Dorgan commended the victim for coming into court and giving a powerful victim impact statement. It had been 'difficult to hear' what she had put up with from this man, she said. There were reports that the defendant had shown kindness to people and had a successful business, Judge Dorgan said. And a psychologist was 'of the view that he was not a danger to the public,' although this was just one view. She said she would adjourn the case until October 3 for a probation report and a full psychiatric report. She ordered Mr O'Donovan not to have any contact with the victim. The matter of compensation must also be addressed, she said. As Gary O'Flynn, the defendant was a councillor on Cork City Council from 2003 to 2008. Read More Former Cork councillor pleads guilty to harassing woman in city three years ago
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fabrizio Romano's latest update OPENS door to mega Liverpool transfer
Fabrizio Romano's latest update could have an impact on Liverpool. The club's goalkeeping department has never been in better shape. Even with the departure of Caoimhin Kelleher, Liverpool have one of the best goalkeeping trio in the world right now. Advertisement Alisson Becker is the best goalkeeper in the world without a shadow of a doubt. He proved that throughout the course of last season, most notably with his heroics against Paris Saint Germain. Behind him Liverpool are now going to add a brilliant goalkeeper in Giorgi Mamardashvili, who has excelled for Valencia over the last few seasons and proved his quality for Georgia at Euro 2024, with some sublime performances to secure qualification into the knock-out round for his team. Mamardashvili will now be looking to compete with Alisson for the no.1 spot, meanwhile behind them the Reds have recruited Armin Pecsi, who is one of the highest rated young goalkeepers in Europe as the club's third choice goalkeeper. Pecsi has played over 50 games for Puskas Akademia in Hungary and is only 20-years-old. He comes as a Golden Boy nominee, and is currently ranked second among goalkeepers for the prestigious award. Advertisement Liverpool have always wanted to create this kind of environment. With Vitezslav Jaros going on loan to Ajax, there is the potential for the Reds to have another really exciting goalkeeper in a few years time as well. On top of that, there are high hopes about Kornel Misciur, who has produced some fantastic performances at academy level over the course of the last season. But that doesn't mean there is no room for investment. Last summer Liverpool were interested in Anthony Patterson of Sunderland, who led the English club back to the Premier League during the 2024/25 campaign. A move for Patterson never materialised last year but Liverpool must still keep him on their radar considering he has been brilliant in the Championship. And now there may be a door opening for the club to sign the talented young goalkeeper.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Argus Research Raises Intermediate-term Rating on Jabil (JBL) Stock
Jabil Inc. (NYSE:JBL) is one of the 10 Worst Aggressive Growth Stocks to Buy According to Short Sellers. On June 18, Argus Research upped its intermediate-term rating on Jabil Inc. (NYSE:JBL)'s stock to 'Buy' from 'Hold' with a price objective of $230. The firm's long-term rating on the company's stock remains 'Buy.' Analysts led by Jim Kelleher highlighted that the company's revenue and non-GAAP EPS in Q3 2025 sharply exceeded the Wall Street expectations and the guidance. Furthermore, the company returned to positive annual topline growth for the first time since Q3 2023. A technician overseeing an application-specific integrated circuit design, etched on a metallic plate. In Q3 2025, Jabil Inc. (NYSE:JBL) saw net revenue of $7.8 billion and core diluted EPS (Non-GAAP) of $2.55. The company's Intelligent Infrastructure segment remains a critical growth engine, supported by accelerating AI-driven demand. For FY 2025, it expects net revenue of $29 billion and core diluted earnings per share (Non-GAAP) of $9.33. Kelleher and his team believe that Jabil Inc. (NYSE:JBL) seems to be well-placed beyond FY 2025 as a result of fast-growing opportunities available in AI data center infrastructure, connected healthcare, semiconductor capital equipment, and other core businesses. As per Kelleher's team, the revenue headwinds in end-markets, in technology and non-technology areas, continue to give way to increased demand, mainly in the AI and cloud space. As per the analysts, Jabil Inc. (NYSE:JBL) expects a $8.5 billion annual AI revenue opportunity, and it plans to invest $500 million in new US facilities. Jabil Inc. (NYSE:JBL) provides electronics design, production, and product management services, electronic circuit design services, including application-specific integrated circuit design, firmware development, and rapid prototyping services, among others. While we acknowledge the potential of JBL to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than JBL and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: 13 Cheap AI Stocks to Buy According to Analysts and 11 Unstoppable Growth Stocks to Invest in Now Disclosure: None.
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Permission granted for student apartments at Cork's former Good Shepherd Convent
Planners have cleared the way for a major student accommodation complex at the former Good Shepherd Convent in Sunday's Well, once the site of a Magdalene Laundry and mother-and-baby home. Permission was granted to brothers Séamus and Pádraig Kelleher who were also cleared for the redevelopment of a building on lower Shandon Street where they intend to re-open the infamous Left Bank pub. It's the only basement bar left in Cork city and was previously an early morning house. As well as re-opening the basement bar, the brothers have permission to convert the remainder of 60/61 Shandon St into apartments. Permission has also been granted for the redevelopment of parts of 60/61 Shandon Street for residential apartments and to reopen the Left Bank pub. Picture Chani Anderson The Sunday's Well student accommodation, earmarked for the site of the former Good Shepherd Convent, is owned by Moneda Developments Ltd, who applied for permission in 2017 to build more than 200 apartments, but did not go ahead, despite being cleared by planners. The derelict ruins of Good Shepherd Convent, Sundays Well, Cork. Picture: Denis Scannell What's now proposed by the Kelleher brothers will deliver 274 apartments and a total of 957 bed spaces. The development will involve the partial demolition, conservation, redevelopment and extension of the existing former convent buildings for student accommodation use, as well as the provision of retail and a cafe – in the Gate Lodge - for the wider community. The student accommodation will be spread across eight blocks, ranging from three to five storeys. The has been some resistance in the community, with more than 30 objections received by Cork City Council. The historical significance of the site as a former mother-and-baby home and Magdalene Laundry and the fact that Little Nellie of Holy God – dubbed Cork's unofficial patron saint – is buried there prompted some of those objections. Padraig Kelleher said they are very cognisant of the site's special significance and that they would retain access to Little Nellie's grave as well as incorporating the historical facade of the main building into their development. Artist impression of 950-bed student accommodation development at the long-derelict Good Shepherd Convent in Cork City 'It's not going to be pastiche; there's some beautiful workmanship and we will incorporate the historical facade into a modern building and give it a new lease of life. It will be at the heart of the campus,' Mr Kelleher said. He added that the grounds extend to about nine acres. 'You can literally have a new campus up there, looking down over the entire city, close to the Tyndall research centre at the bottom of Sunday's Well, and with good access to UCC and the Mardyke.' Mr Kelleher said they 'intended to put a lot into the landscaping piece' to protect kestrals and barn owls and other wildlife as the area is in a Landscape Preservation Zone and that the architectural design would be guided by the expertise of Butler Cammoranesi Architects. The site has been the subject of ongoing anti-social behaviour, with damage caused by fires, but security is now in place. The entire convent site was added to the city's derelict site register in February 2019. 'It's a place of such huge potential, if someone is willing to grab it by the horns,' Mr Kelleher said, adding that they intend to develop the site themselves and not sell it on. 'We want to see this delivered,' he said. He added that a student population would have a good effect on the local economy, just as it did in other parts of the city. The Kelleher brothers were also cleared to redevelop 60/61 Shandon Street on Farrens Quay - the shortest quay in the city - from commercial use to residential use. The building was once a solicitor's office but has been empty for some time. Mr Kelleher said even though the initial plan was for nine apartments, they have scaled it back to five. 60/61 Shandon Street, located at the gateway to Cork's historic quarter, has been cleared for redevelopment. Picture Chani Anderson 'They'll be well over the standard size and will have nice features such as high ceilings and a terrific vista over the river.' He said they had received sterling advice from the city's conservation architects and that it would guide their work on the building. 'We want to do something decent with the building, it's very unique. We want to follow best practice, I don't know yet when we will be starting, but the first thing we intend to do is clean it up on the outside,' Mr Kelleher said. The brothers' desire to reopen the basement bar underneath the apartments is borne of nostalgia. 60/61 Shandon Street. 'Our father used to drink there and it's probably the only basement bar left in the city. It's closed for a long, long time, but credit to the owner, he hung on to the licence. We won't make anything out of it, but it's the last of its kind in Cork and we'll probably rent it out to a decent operator,' said Mr Kelleher, adding that it would continue to be known as the Left Bank. Read More Cork publican Benny McCabe hails city revival with opening of The Fountain bar
