A garda charged with the harassment of a woman and the theft of her underwear admitted his guilt under questioning, according to investigating gardaí at the Circuit Criminal Court in Waterford yesterday.
Garda Anthony Fennelly (39) Moonview Bridge, Tramore, replied "not guilty" when charged with the harassment of Amanda Cox (28) and the theft of underwear at her home in Rathfadden Park, Waterford.
Insp Pádraig Dunne yesterday told the court that Garda Fennelly, under questioning from investigating officers, said: "I took two items of underwear, I don't know why.
"I photocopied some leaflets and put them around the town in phone boxes. I never stalked her, I sent her flowers and apologised," read Insp Dunne.
It is alleged that on September 16th, 2003, a garda, claiming to be responding to reports of an intruder, used a neighbour's house to get access to Ms Cox's home. She received reports that a garda had jumped over the wall into her back garden where two items of underwear were allegedly stolen.
Garda Patrick Crowley, in his evidence, said he had told Ms Cox there was no record of an incident at her address. The jury also heard that Ms Cox was woken by numerous sexual-related calls on November 13th, 2003. She was told by a male voice that he had found her number in a phone booth.
Ms Cox became worried and found cards in numerous phone boxes in the city centre advertising her services as a prostitute.
The trial continues on Tuesday.