Former Fianna Fáil councillor Joseph O'Donovan remanded on bail after pleading guilty to harassing waitress in Cork
Joseph O'Donovan, a 49-year-old man and former Fianna Fáil councillor formerly known as Gary O'Flynn, was convicted of harassing a 25-year-old waitress at a Cork City restaurant on 30 July 2022, where he kissed her hand, told her she was the prettiest girl he had ever seen, and stared at her through the window. He was arrested later that month and pleaded guilty to one count of harassment. At Cork District Court on 27 June 2025, the court heard evidence of three visits to the restaurant and noted his 26 previous convictions, including soliciting a person to murder three people. He was remanded on bail pending sentencing in October 2025.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted27 Jun
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- He stayed for two hours drinking wine, kissed the waitress's hand, told her she was the prettiest girl he had ever seen, tried to get her phone number, and stared at her in the restaurant and through the window.
- Where
- A restaurant in Cork City.
- When
- The first incident occurred on 30 July 2022.
- Investigation
- He was arrested later in July 2022.
- Charges
- He pleaded guilty to one count of harassment.
- In court
- He appeared at Cork District Court on 27 June 2025, where evidence of three visits to the restaurant was heard.
- Sentence
- He was remanded on bail pending sentencing in October 2025.
- Other details
- He is a former Fianna Fáil councillor formerly known as Gary O'Flynn.
- The court noted his 26 previous convictions, including soliciting a person to murder three people.
- The victim said she had never stopped looking over her shoulder for three years.
5 statements extracted from the articles
- whatHe stayed for two hours during which he was drinking wine. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe victim said she had never stopped looking over her shoulder for three years. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe first incident occurred on 30 July 2022 at a restaurant in Cork City. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationHe was arrested later that month. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe pleaded guilty to one count of harassment. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 27 Jun2025Ex-FF councillor harassed waitress at work, stared in window of restaurant and kissed hand, court told
Cork District Court heard evidence of three visits to a Cork City restaurant where the accused harassed a waitress; the victim read her own impact statement; the accused's 26 previous convictions were detailed, including soliciting a person to murder three people; remanded on bail pending sentencing in October 2025.
victim, 25, femaleconvicted, 49, male, irish (judged from name)