Case No. 1544Harassment · Co. Dublin · 1 Aug 2023
Mark McAnaw jailed for 11 years for harassing three Sunday World journalists
Mark McAnaw, 53, previously of Letterkenny, Co Donegal, was sentenced to 11 years at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for harassing three Sunday World journalists in August 2023. He refused to enter a bond that would have suspended the final 12 months of the sentence, resulting in the full 11-year term being imposed.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced5 Jun
2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports31 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMcAnaw was writing an email to Ms Tallant when gardaí approached him at a cafe (irishtimes.com)
- whatMcAnaw repeatedly sent the women emails and messages of a violent and sexually threatening nature. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMcAnaw referred to himself as an 'IRA Top Boy' in his messages. (irishmirror.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)
- investigationDetective Sergeant John Brady was called to investigate the harassment of the three women. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeMcAnaw pleaded guilty to the harassment of the three women on various dates in August 2023 (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.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 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)
- sentenceThe sentence was backdated to August 2023 when McAnaw went into custody (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- 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)
- 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 is currently detained in the Central Mental Hospital. (irishmirror.ie)
- 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)
The reporting
newest first- 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