‘Hobbit insult’ trial: Poster ‘called family drug dealers’
THE trial in which a garda denies she sent malicious messages calling her then-partner’s ex a ‘hobbit’ and ‘corrupt’ has heard a claim that neighbours of the alleged victim were falsely accused of being drug dealers.
Eve Doherty, 49, a garda based in Dublin, denies harassing State solicitor Elizabeth Howlin between September 2011 and March 2013 and of making false statements claiming that Ms Howlin was perverting the course of justice.
At the time, Ms Howlin worked with the Director of Public Prosecutions as a directing officer. She told the court that her job involved deciding whether or not to direct prosecutions in criminal cases.
Ms Howlin said that over an 18month period, abusive letters and emails were sent to her home, her place of work and to her GP calling Ms Howlin a ‘corrupt b**ch’ and an ‘incompetent useless hobbit’.
The material allegedly claimed Ms Howlin, a distant cousin of the TD Brendan Howlin, was a political appointee and that she would ‘pull’ files to prevent prosecutions of anyone connected to her or the Government.
Ms Howlin said that although all the allegations were untrue, the material did contain personal details that were true.
She said that the material was very upsetting and affected her confidence and peace of mind.
In March 2012, a resident of the estate in Blackrock, Co. Dublin where Ms Howlin lives found A4-sized posters around the estate which had photographs of Ms Howlin and Brendan Howlin on them, the court heard.
The posters incorrectly claimed Mr Howlin was her uncle and that she was involved with political corruption, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard.
It was also heard that a poster contained allegations about Ms Howlin’s neighbours, the Martins, describing them as drug dealers and claiming they were best friends with Ms Howlin.
‘Absolutely traumatised’
The poster also claimed Ms Howlin used inappropriate influence to protect the family from prosecution, the court heard.
Pat Martin told the trial that his family were not drug dealers. He said his son was once charged with a minor offence of possession of cannabis and was prosecuted for this offence.
He said Ms Howlin had no involvement with his son’s case. He said his family were ‘absolutely traumatised’ after gardaí came to his family home with a search warrant.
He said he knew that Ms Howlin worked for the DPP, and his wife called her to ask her to get the number of a solicitor. He said they didn’t ask Ms Howlin for any advice.
Mr Martin said allegations that there was a large seizure of drugs at his home were absolutely untrue.
Patricia Martin said that her son pleaded guilty to the offence. She agreed with Michael O’Higgins SC, defending, that the case was struck out and there was no conviction recorded. He said he was not suggesting that Ms Howlin had any part to play in that.
Ms Doherty is charged with harassment of Ms Howlin and with making a false statement on March 1, 2012 and March 31, 2012 claiming Ms Howlin attempted to pervert the course of justice. She denies all charges. The trial continues before Judge Melanie Greally and a jury.