A JUDGE has described texts and e-mails sent by a man to a Co Clare-based clinical psychologist as “chilling, disturbing and ominous”.
Imposing sentence at Ennis Circuit Court yesterday on Falk Hammermuller (30), a German national, for the harassment of Dr Brian Dunne, Judge Leonie Reynolds said Dr Dunne “was unnerved and feared for his own safety” because of the texts and e-mails received from Hammermuller.
In court, Hammermuller pleaded guilty to the harassment of Dr Dunne between May 29th and June 1st last year.
Judge Reynolds suspended the three-year jail term for six years on condition Hammermuller be of good behaviour and, if he returns to Ireland, have no contact, direct or indirect, with Dr Dunne.
Judge Reynolds said the texts and e-mails were sent by Hammermuller due to the “mistaken belief that the complainant was having a relationship with Mr Hammermuller’s partner”.
He sent nine texts and two e-mails to Dr Dunne in those few days. The father of two subsequently returned to Germany but had an address at Oakwood Park, Ennis, when living in Ireland.
Hammermuller arrived in Ireland in 2005.
One of the texts he sent to Dr Dunne outlined by the prosecution read: “Just a reminder. U r running out of time. The beast wants to be free.” Another read: “Following the trail. Want to satisfy the demon. Hope he accepts that gift.” Another read: “Help me or I will take everything you own, everything you have and everything you have earned up to this day.”
