Blogger ‘harassed kids TV host online’

Actress, 44, granted bail over ‘very serious’ charge

Corrigan on an ongoing basis between February 19, 2016, and May 20 last year at various unknown locations.

The judge described the charge as a “very, very serious offence”. Ms Corrigan, host of My Pet And Me and Ferne And Rory’s Vet Tales, was not present for the hearing.

Det Sgt Kelly told the court it was alleged the defendant “engaged in an online campaign of harassment against a named individual who is not resident in the State, and used various social media platforms to harass this individual in a very public way”.

Judge Walsh asked if the accused and alleged victim were connected and the Garda said they were not directly linked. But the officer added: “The [complainant] is the daughter of the defendant’s former partner.” A defence solicitor asked for a three-month adjournment and applied for disclosure of prosecution evidence.

She successfully resisted the Garda’s application for an absolute ban on her client using social media “of any type”.

The judge agreed to her request the online ban would be limited to contacting the alleged victim.

He also warned if Winston was foolish enough to send messages to Ms Corrigan it could lead to further charges.

Winston was also banned from contacting Ms Corrigan’s family and friends by any means.

Dressed in a navy suit, the accused answered “Yes” when the judge asked if she would give an undertaking not to contact the complainant.

She was also told she had to reside at her current address and give gardai her phone number.

Winston, from Rathgar Road, South Dublin, was remanded on bail to appear again at a date in December.

The judge ordered gardai to hand over copies of all communications which included “various emails” to the defence. Legal aid was granted to Winston after the judge noted she was “employed but not above the threshold”.

The alleged victim is the daughter of the accused’s ex-partner DET SGT JONATHAN KELLY

COURT YESTERDAY