Ireland Case No. 1544Harassment · Co. Dublin · 1 Aug 2023
Man jailed for 11 years for harassing three journalists in Dublin
Mark McAnaw, originally from the UK and previously of Letterkenny, Co Donegal, repeatedly sent emails and messages of a violent and sexually threatening nature to three Sunday World journalists, Nicola Tallant, Amanda Brunker and Deirdre Reynolds, on various dates in August 2023. He was arrested and charged with three counts of harassment, and pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 18 December 2024. The case was adjourned to 5 June 2025 for a probation report and psychiatric report. On that date, Judge Pauline Codd imposed a full 11-year sentence after McAnaw refused to enter a bond that would have suspended the final 12 months, and ordered a lifetime no-contact and 10-mile exclusion from the victims' homes and workplaces.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court18 Dec
- Convicted18 Dec
6 reports - Sentenced5 Jun
5 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- McAnaw repeatedly sent emails and messages of a violent and sexually threatening nature to three Sunday World journalists, including a threat to put a bullet in one of them.
- Where
- The harassment took place in Dublin, with McAnaw turning up at the Sunday World offices on Talbot Street.
- When
- The harassment occurred on various dates in August 2023.
- Investigation
- Detective Sergeant John Brady was called to investigate, and McAnaw was arrested, detained and interviewed.
- Charges
- McAnaw was arraigned on three counts of harassment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
- In court
- McAnaw pleaded guilty on 18 December 2024 and was remanded in continuing custody for sentence.
- The case was adjourned to 5 June 2025 to prepare a probation report and obtain a psychiatric report.
- Sentence
- Judge Pauline Codd imposed a full 11-year sentence on 5 June 2025 after McAnaw refused to enter a bond that would have suspended the final 12 months.
- The sentence was backdated to August 2023, when McAnaw went into custody.
- McAnaw was ordered to have no contact with the women for life and not go within 10 miles of their homes or workplaces.
- Other details
- McAnaw is originally from the UK, previously of Letterkenny, Co Donegal, and is currently detained in the Central Mental Hospital.
- McAnaw has previous convictions including a 2010 rape conviction carrying nine years, a 1989 kidnapping conviction, and a 2023 sentence of eight years and four months for an April 2018 aggravated assault.
- The judge assessed McAnaw as high risk of violent and sexual re-offending.
103 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMcAnaw pleaded guilty to the harassment of three women. (donegallive.ie)
- whatMcAnaw pleaded guilty to the harassment of three female Sunday World journalists (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe pleaded guilty to the harassment of Nicola Tallant, Amanda Brunker and Deirdre Reynolds (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whatMark McAnaw pleaded guilty to harassing Nicola Tallant, Amanda Brunker and Deirdre Reynolds. (thejournal.ie)
- whatIn an email to Deirdre Reynolds, McAnaw threatened to put bullets in her nut. (thejournal.ie)
- whatMark McAnaw, aged 53, was jailed for harassing three Sunday World journalists. (rte.ie)
- whatMcAnaw was jailed for 11 years for harassing Nicola Tallant, Amanda Brunker and Deirdre Reynolds. (rte.ie)
- whatThe court heard McAnaw repeatedly sent the three women emails and messages of a violent and sexually threatening nature. (rte.ie)
- whatMcAnaw repeatedly sent the women emails and messages of a violent and sexually threatening nature. (donegallive.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whatIn relation to Ms Reynolds, the messages included a threat to kill. (donegallive.ie)
- whatMcAnaw was writing an email to Ms Tallant when gardaí approached him at a cafe (irishtimes.com)
- whatMcAnaw referred to himself as an 'IRA Top Boy' in his messages. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereMcAnaw is of no fixed abode but previously of Letterkenny, Co Donegal (irishtimes.com)
- whereMcAnaw is of no fixed abode and previously of Letterkenny, Co Donegal. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereMcAnaw turned up at Independent House, where the Sunday World is based. (thejournal.ie)
- whereMcAnaw turned up at the Sunday World offices on Talbot Street. (donegallive.ie)
- whereMcAnaw turned up at the Sunday World offices on Talbot Street in Dublin (irishtimes.com)
- whereMcAnaw turned up at the Sunday World offices on Talbot Street and was found in a cafe across the road when gardai approached. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe harassment took place on various dates in August 2023. (thejournal.ie, donegallive.ie, kildarenow.com)
- whenThe harassment occurred on various dates in August 2023 (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whenMcAnaw pleaded guilty to harassing the three journalists on various dates in August 2023. (rte.ie)
- weaponThe messages escalated to McAnaw threatening to put a bullet in one of the women. (rte.ie)
- investigationMcAnaw was arrested, detained and interviewed. (thejournal.ie, donegallive.ie)
- investigationA detective sergeant was called to investigate the harassment of three women. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationDetective Sergeant John Brady was called to investigate the harassment of the three women. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeMcAnaw faced three counts of harassment. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeHe was arraigned on three counts of harassment (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- chargeMcAnaw pleaded guilty to harassing the three women. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeMcAnaw pleaded guilty to the harassment of the three women on various dates in August 2023 (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- courtMark McAnaw appeared at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and was arraigned on three counts of harassment. (thejournal.ie)
- courtMcAnaw pleaded guilty to harassing Nicola Tallant, Amanda Brunker and Deirdre Reynolds. (thejournal.ie, kildarenow.com, donegallive.ie)
- courtThe judge ordered the preparation of victim impact statements. (thejournal.ie)
- courtMcAnaw was arraigned at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on three counts of harassment. (donegallive.ie)
- courtJudge Martin Nolan ordered the preparation of victim impact statements. (donegallive.ie, kildarenow.com, irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- courtMcAnaw was remanded in continuing custody for sentence on March 7. (donegallive.ie, kildarenow.com)
- courtMcAnaw was arraigned on three counts of harassment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (kildarenow.com)
- courtHe appeared at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on Wednesday (irishtimes.com)
- courtMcAnaw was remanded in continuing custody for sentence on 7 March 2025 (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- courtMcAnaw appeared at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 18 December 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (thejournal.ie, donegallive.ie)
- courtJudge Pauline Codd adjourned the case until 5 June to prepare a probation report and obtain an up-to-date psychiatric report. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge adjourned the case until June 5 to prepare a probation report and obtain a psychiatric report. (donegallive.ie)
- courtMcAnaw refused to enter a bond before a sitting of Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (rte.ie)
- courtThe judge directed McAnaw to appear at a later sitting in relation to a breach of his suspended sentence conditions. (rte.ie)
- courtThe sentence was imposed by Judge Pauline Codd. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe sentencing took place at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (donegallive.ie)
- courtMcAnaw refused to enter a bond that would have suspended the final 12 months of the sentence (irishtimes.com)
- courtMs Brunker and Ms Reynolds were present in court when the sentence was imposed (irishtimes.com)
- courtMcAnaw was directed to appear at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court later in the month for breach of conditions of a suspended sentence. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceMcAnaw was remanded in continuing custody for sentence on 7 March. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceHe received a sentence of eight years and four months in June of last year (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe sentence was backdated to 2018 when he went into custody (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe final 16 months of the sentence were suspended for 16 years (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceHe was placed under the supervision of the Probation Services (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceHe received an eight-year and four-month sentence for the 2018 attack in June 2023, backdated to 2018. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe final 16 months of the 2023 sentence were suspended for 16 years with Probation Services supervision. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceMcAnaw will be sentenced later this year. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceMcAnaw is due to be sentenced later this year. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceThe judge imposed the full 11-year sentence after McAnaw refused the bond. (rte.ie)
- sentenceThe judge backdated the sentence to August 2023, when McAnaw went into custody. (rte.ie)
- sentenceJudge Codd ordered McAnaw to have no contact with the women for life. (rte.ie)
- sentenceMcAnaw was ordered not to approach the women or go within around 16km of their homes and workplaces. (rte.ie)
- sentenceMcAnaw was jailed for 11 years. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceMcAnaw refused to enter a bond, so the full 11-year sentence was imposed. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceMcAnaw must have no contact with the women, either directly or indirectly. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceThe sentence was backdated to August 2023, when McAnaw went into custody. (donegallive.ie, irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceMcAnaw was to remain under probation supervision for five years. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceMcAnaw was jailed for 11 years for the harassment of three journalists (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceJudge Codd outlined a global sentence of 11 years with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions for five years (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe suspended conditions include probation supervision, compliance with medical regime, refraining from illicit substances, and making internet-enabled devices available to gardaí (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceMcAnaw was ordered to have no contact with the women, not go within 10 miles of their homes or workplaces, and not communicate with them for life (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceMcAnaw was sentenced to 11 years for the harassment of the three journalists. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceMcAnaw refused to enter a bond for the suspended 12 months, so the full 11-year sentence was imposed. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceA lifetime no-contact order was imposed, including a 10-mile exclusion from the victims' homes and workplaces. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe suspended portion included probation supervision for five years, compliance with a medical regime, refraining from illicit substances, and making internet-enabled devices available to gardai. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceA stalker was jailed. (extra.ie)
- otherThe victims were female Sunday World journalists. (thejournal.ie)
- otherMcAnaw has a number of previous convictions. (thejournal.ie)
- otherA convicted rapist pleaded guilty to harassing three female Sunday World journalists. (kildarenow.com)
- otherMcAnaw has a number of previous convictions, including a jail sentence of nine years for raping a foreign student in Donegal in October 2010. (kildarenow.com)
- otherHe was jailed for nine years for raping a foreign student in Co Donegal in October 2010 (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe was convicted by a jury in 2012 of orally raping and sexually assaulting the student (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- otherHe has a 1989 conviction for kidnapping (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- otherHe has convictions for assaults causing actual bodily harm from a Derry court in 2011 (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- otherHe attacked a woman in her home days after they had gone on a date in April 2018 (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe was jailed for nine years for raping a foreign student in Donegal in October 2010. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMcAnaw has numerous previous convictions. (thejournal.ie)
- otherMcAnaw is currently detained in the Central Mental Hospital. (thejournal.ie, donegallive.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- otherMcAnaw's final email to Deirdre Reynolds threatened to put bullets in her head. (donegallive.ie)
- otherMcAnaw is detained in the Central Mental Hospital. (rte.ie, donegallive.ie)
- otherThe judge said McAnaw is assessed at high risk of violent and sexual re-offending. (rte.ie, donegallive.ie)
- otherMcAnaw is detained in the Central Mental Hospital and does not accept his diagnosis of schizophrenia (irishtimes.com)
- otherMcAnaw was previously convicted of the rape of a foreign student in Donegal in October 2010 and sentenced to nine years in 2012 (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- otherMcAnaw has a 1989 conviction for kidnapping (irishtimes.com)
- otherMcAnaw was convicted of aggravated assault after attacking a woman in her home in April 2018 and sentenced to eight years and four months in June 2023 (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- otherMcAnaw was released from custody in July 2023, one month before the harassment of the journalists (irishtimes.com)
- otherMcAnaw does not accept his diagnosis of schizophrenia and has declined to take medication. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMcAnaw has a 1989 conviction for kidnapping and convictions for assaults from a court in Northern Ireland in 2011. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMcAnaw was released from custody in July 2023, one month before the harassment of the journalists took place. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMcAnaw is originally from the UK and came to Ireland 15 years ago. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMcAnaw is assessed at high risk of violent and sexual re-offending. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMcAnaw has a history of substance misuse including cannabis and inconsistent engagement with community mental health services. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherAmanda Brunker said she felt numb and exhilarated. (extra.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 5 Jun2025Amanda Brunker 'numb and exhilarated' as stalker jailed
Reports the jailing of a stalker and Amanda Brunker's reaction. The article body is a page template with no further text.
victim, Amanda Brunker, irish (judged from name)Amanda Brunkerconvicted - 5 Jun2025Convicted rapist jailed for threats and harassment of three female journalists
Sentencing hearing at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Pauline Codd. McAnaw refused to enter a bond for the suspended 12 months, so the full 11-year sentence was imposed. A lifetime no-contact order and 10-mile exclusion from the victims' homes and workplaces were also ordered. Victim impact statements were read by Ms Reynolds and Ms Brunker, and on behalf of Ms Tallant.
convicted, Mark McAnaw, 53, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Mark McAnawvictim, Nicola Tallant, female, irish (judged from name)Nicola Tallantvictim, Amanda Brunker, female, irish (judged from name)Amanda Brunkervictim, Deirdre Reynolds, female, irish (judged from name)Deirdre Reynolds - 5 Jun2025Rapist who threatened three Sunday World journalists jailed for 11 years
Details the sentencing, the conditions of the suspended portion, McAnaw's refusal to enter the bond, and his extensive criminal history including rape, kidnapping, and aggravated assault convictions.
convicted, Mark McAnaw, 53, male, named, irish (judged from name)Mark McAnawvictim, Nicola Tallant, female, irish (judged from name)Nicola Tallantvictim, Amanda Brunker, female, irish (judged from name)Amanda Brunkervictim, Deirdre Reynolds, female, irish (judged from name)Deirdre Reynolds - 5 Jun2025Donegal man jailed for threats and harassment of three female Sunday World journalists
Adds that McAnaw refused to enter the bond, so the judge imposed the full 11-year sentence, and that he must have no contact with the women for life. Also reports his previous convictions, his mental health and his high risk assessment.
convicted, Mark McAnaw, 53, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Mark McAnawvictim, Nicola Tallant, female, irish (judged from name)Nicola Tallantvictim, Amanda Brunker, female, irish (judged from name)Amanda Brunkervictim, Deirdre Reynolds, female, irish (judged from name)Deirdre Reynolds - 5 Jun2025Man who harassed female journalists jailed for 11 years
Reports the full 11-year sentence imposed after McAnaw refused the bond, the no-contact and distance orders for life, that he is detained in the Central Mental Hospital, and the judge's comments on aggravating factors and risk.
convicted, Mark McAnaw, 53, male, named, irish (judged from name)Mark McAnawvictim, Nicola Tallant, female, irish (judged from name)Nicola Tallantvictim, Amanda Brunker, female, irish (judged from name)Amanda Brunkervictim, Deirdre Reynolds, female, irish (judged from name)Deirdre Reynolds - 8 Mar2025Donegal rapist who threatened to kill three female journalists to be sentenced
Reports the guilty plea hearing and the adjournment to June 5. Adds details of the threatening emails, the garda investigation, the arrest and interviews, the victim impact statements, and McAnaw's detention in the Central Mental Hospital.
convicted, Mark McAnaw, 52, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Mark McAnawvictim, Nicola Tallant, female, irish (judged from name)Nicola Tallantvictim, Amanda Brunker, female, irish (judged from name)Amanda Brunkervictim, Deirdre Reynolds, female, irish (judged from name)Deirdre Reynolds - 7 Mar2025Rapist threatened to kill three female Sunday World journalists
Adds that sentencing is due later this year, the threatening email wording, McAnaw's previous convictions, the victim impact statements, his detention in the Central Mental Hospital, and the adjournment to 5 June for a probation report and psychiatric report.
convicted, Mark McAnaw, 52, male, namedMark McAnawvictim, Nicola Tallant, female, irish (judged from name)Nicola Tallantvictim, Amanda Brunker, female, irish (judged from name)Amanda Brunkervictim, Deirdre Reynolds, female, irish (judged from name)Deirdre Reynolds - 19 Dec2024Rapist pleads guilty to harassment of three female journalists
Guilty plea to three counts of harassment; sentence deferred to 7 March 2025. Article also details McAnaw's extensive criminal history including a 2010 rape conviction and a 2023 sentence for a 2018 knife attack.
convicted, Mark McAnaw, 52, male, named, irish (judged from name)Mark McAnawvictim, Nicola Tallant, female, irish (judged from name)Nicola Tallantvictim, Amanda Brunker, female, irish (judged from name)Amanda Brunkervictim, Deirdre Reynolds, female, irish (judged from name)Deirdre Reynolds - 18 Dec2024Convicted rapist pleads guilty to harassing female journalists
McAnaw pleaded guilty to three counts of harassment; remanded in continuing custody for sentence on 7 March 2025. Article provides background on his previous convictions including rape, kidnapping, and assault.
victim, Nicola Tallant, female, irish (judged from name)Nicola Tallantvictim, Amanda Brunker, female, irish (judged from name)Amanda Brunkervictim, Deirdre Reynolds, female, irish (judged from name)Deirdre Reynoldsaccused, Mark McAnaw, 52, male, named, irish (judged from name)Mark McAnaw - 18 Dec2024Man pleads guilty to harassing three female journalists
Reports the guilty plea on three harassment counts, the judge's order for victim impact statements, the March 7 sentencing date, and McAnaw's previous convictions.
accused, Mark McAnaw, 52, male, named, irish (judged from name)Mark McAnawvictim, Nicola Tallant, female, irish (judged from name)Nicola Tallantvictim, Amanda Brunker, female, irish (judged from name)Amanda Brunkervictim, Deirdre Reynolds, female, irish (judged from name)Deirdre Reynolds - 18 Dec2024Donegal man pleads guilty to harassment of three female Sunday World journalists
Reports the guilty plea entered at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 18 December 2024, the remand in custody and the order for victim impact statements; adds the sentencing date of March 7.
convicted, Mark McAnaw, 52, male, named, irish (judged from name)Mark McAnawvictim, Nicola Tallant, female, irish (judged from name)Nicola Tallantvictim, Amanda Brunker, female, irish (judged from name)Amanda Brunkervictim, Deirdre Reynolds, female, irish (judged from name)Deirdre Reynolds - 18 Dec2024Convicted rapist pleads guilty to harassing three female Sunday World journalists
Reports the guilty plea on 18 December 2024 to three counts of harassment, the order for victim impact statements, the remand for sentence on 7 March, and McAnaw's previous convictions.
victim, Nicola Tallant, female, irish (judged from name)Nicola Tallantvictim, Amanda Brunker, female, irish (judged from name)Amanda Brunkervictim, Deirdre Reynolds, female, irish (judged from name)Deirdre Reynoldsconvicted, Mark McAnaw, 52, male, named, irish (judged from name)Mark McAnaw