Ireland Former garda Paul Moody sentenced over harassment and coercive control of former partner
Paul Moody, a 46-year-old man and former garda, offended against his former partner, a woman, between March 2016 and November 2017 in County Dublin. He sent her over 2,200 messages in early March 2016, set up several fake accounts between February and November 2017, and threatened to send intimate images of her to her former husband and an employer. He had been jailed in 2022 for three years and three months after pleading guilty to coercion of a different woman. At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court he pleaded guilty to harassment and coercive control, and the judge imposed a six-year sentence with the final 15 months suspended on strict conditions, backdated to December 2024, with no contact with the woman, her family or friends for 20 years; the sentencing was reported on 1 May 2026.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced1 May
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Paul Moody pleaded guilty to harassment and coercive control.
- Moody sent the woman over 2,200 messages in early March 2016.
- Where
- The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, in County Dublin.
- When
- The offending took place between March 2016 and November 2017.
- Weapon
- The woman described Moody pacing with a knife one night.
- Other details
- Moody set up several fake accounts between February and November 2017.
- Moody threatened to send intimate images of the woman to her former husband and an employer.
- Moody joined the gardaí in 2000, served for 21 years and was later suspended.
- Moody was jailed in 2022 for three years and three months after pleading guilty to coercion of a different woman.
- Charges
- A charge of demanding money with menace was taken into consideration.
- In court
- The judge said the offending was prolonged and extreme.
- The judge noted the guilty plea and other small factors in mitigation.
- Sentence
- Moody was given a six-year sentence with the final 15 months suspended on strict conditions.
- The judge said the global sentence for all offending would have been about eight years.
- Moody must have no contact with the woman, her family or friends for 20 years, and the sentence was backdated to December 2024.
- Investigation
- The woman said she was met with silence after she complained to GSOC.
16 statements extracted from the articles
- whatPaul Moody pleaded guilty to harassment and coercive control. (thejournal.ie)
- whatMoody sent the woman over 2,200 messages in early March 2016. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe offending took place between March 2016 and November 2017. (thejournal.ie)
- weaponThe woman described Moody pacing with a knife one night. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeA charge of demanding money with menace was taken into consideration. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge said the offending was prolonged and extreme. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge noted the guilty plea and other small factors in mitigation. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceMoody was given a six-year sentence with the final 15 months suspended on strict conditions. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe judge said the global sentence for all offending would have been about eight years. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceMoody must have no contact with the woman, her family or friends for 20 years. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe sentence was backdated to December 2024. (thejournal.ie)
- otherMoody set up several fake accounts between February and November 2017. (thejournal.ie)
- otherMoody threatened to send intimate images of the woman to her former husband and an employer. (thejournal.ie)
- otherMoody joined the gardaí in 2000 and served for 21 years before he was suspended. (thejournal.ie)
- otherMoody was jailed in 2022 for three years and three months after pleading guilty to coercion. (thejournal.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 1 May2026Woman harassed by former garda says she was 'met with silence' after complaint to GSOC
Reports the sentencing of Paul Moody at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, including the victim impact statement, the judge's remarks and a link to his earlier 2022 conviction for coercion against a different woman.
convicted, Paul Moody, 46, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Moodyvictim, female