Ireland Man charged over letters alleging teaching colleague viewed inappropriate content
In March and May 2022, letters were sent to Henry Street garda station and Ardscoil Mhuire secondary school in Limerick, alleging that a male teaching colleague was viewing sexually inappropriate content on his phone while teaching a class. Tomas Madigan, a 42-year-old teacher from Crossbeg, Cooraclare, County Clare, was charged with two counts of sending grossly offensive communications under Section 4 of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020, and after caution he replied that he was very sorry. He appeared at Ennis District Court on 21 September 2023, where his defence said he would not contest the charges. The case was adjourned to 20 December to allow a probation report to be prepared, and no sentence has been reported.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court21 Sep
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A teacher appeared in court charged with sending grossly offensive communications in two letters.
- The letters alleged that a male teaching colleague was viewing sexually inappropriate content on his phone while teaching a class.
- Where
- The letters were sent to Ardscoil Mhuire secondary school in Corbally, Limerick, and to Henry Street garda station in Limerick.
- The accused is from Crossbeg, Cooraclare, County Clare.
- When
- The letter to Henry Street garda station was sent in March 2022, and the letter to the school was sent in May 2022.
- Charges
- The accused is charged with sending a grossly offensive communication to Henry Street Garda Station on 30 March 2022, with intent to cause harm.
- The accused is charged with sending a grossly offensive communication to Ardscoil Mhuire secondary school, Corbally, on 25 May 2022, with intent to cause harm.
- Both charges are under Section 4 of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020.
- Investigation
- After caution, the accused replied that he was very sorry.
- Other details
- The defence said the accused was unwell at the time of sending the letters and did not know it.
- In court
- The DPP directed that the case be heard in the district court, and the judge accepted district jurisdiction.
- The accused appeared at Ennis District Court on 21 September 2023, and the defence said he would not contest the two charges.
- The judge adjourned the case to 20 December to allow a probation report to be prepared.
- Sentence
- No sentence has been reported, as the case was adjourned for a probation report.
22 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA teacher appeared in court charged with sending grossly offensive communications in two letters. (clareecho.ie)
- whatThe letters alleged that a male teaching colleague was viewing sexually inappropriate content on his phone while teaching a class. (clareecho.ie)
- whereThe letters were sent to Ardscoil Mhuire secondary school in Corbally, Limerick, and to Henry Street garda station, also in Limerick. (limerickleader.ie)
- whereThe accused appeared at Ennis District Court. (clareecho.ie)
- whenThe first letter was sent to Henry Street garda station in March 2022. (limerickleader.ie)
- whenThe second letter was sent to the school in May 2022. (limerickleader.ie)
- whenThe first letter was sent in March 2022 to Henry Street Garda Station and the second in May 2022 to the school. (clareecho.ie)
- investigationAfter caution, Madigan replied that he was very sorry. (limerickleader.ie)
- investigationAfter caution, the accused replied that he was very sorry. (clareecho.ie)
- chargeMadigan is accused of sending grossly offensive communication in two letters. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeBoth charges are under Section 4 of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020. (limerickleader.ie, clareecho.ie)
- chargeThe accused is charged with sending a grossly offensive communication at Ardscoil Mhuire secondary school, Corbally, on 25 May 2022, with intent to cause harm. (clareecho.ie)
- chargeThe accused is also charged with sending a grossly offensive communication at Henry Street Garda Station on 30 March 2022, with intent to cause harm. (clareecho.ie)
- courtThe DPP directed that the case be heard in the district court. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtThe judge accepted district jurisdiction and agreed to deal with the case. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtMadigan will not contest the two charges. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtThe case was adjourned to 20 December to allow a probation report to be prepared. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtThe defence said the accused would not contest the two charges. (clareecho.ie)
- courtThe judge adjourned the case to 20 December for a probation report. (clareecho.ie)
- otherThe letters alleged that another teacher was viewing inappropriate sexual content on his phone while teaching a class. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe solicitor said his client was unwell at the time of the letters and did not know it. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe defence said the accused was unwell at the time of sending the letters and did not know it. (clareecho.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 22 Sep2023West Clare man in court over sending letters alleging male teaching colleague viewed inappropriate content on phone while in classroom - Clare Echo
First report in the list of this case. Gives the court appearance on 22 September 2023, the two charges, the defence position that the accused will not contest them, and the adjournment to 20 December for a probation report.
accused, Tomas Madigan, 42, male, named, irish (judged from name)Tomas Madigan - 21 Sep2023Teacher in court for sending 'grossly offensive' letters about colleague at Limerick school
Reports the court appearance at Ennis District Court. The letters were sent to Ardscoil Mhuire in Corbally and Henry Street garda station in Limerick, in March and May 2022. The accused's solicitor said he will not contest the charges, and the case was adjourned to 20 December for a probation report.
accused, Tomas Madigan, 42, named, irish (judged from name)Tomas Madiganvictim, male