A Leaving Certificate student who harassed his economics teacher with up to eight telephone calls a days over a nine-month period had his case dismissed under the Probation of Offenders Act yesterday.
Mr Karl Hudson (20), Tower Lodge, Blackrock, Cork, had pleaded guilty at Cork District Court to subjecting schoolteacher Mr Patrick O'Shea to a campaign of "harassment, terror and pain". Mr Hudson targeted the 54-year- old teacher because of what he claimed were unfair reports on his classroom performance.
The campaign was so intense that Mr O'Shea, a respected teacher with over 30 years' experience, had to take sick leave and seek treatment for depression. The intimidation lasted from Christmas 1999 until the following September. Some 83 calls were traced to Mr Hudson.
Mr O'Shea told an earlier hearing the calls were often silent but then became abusive and upsetting. Cork District Court was told yesterday that Mr Hudson had made £2,000 available in compensation to Mr O'Shea. Judge Leo Malone said he was impressed by the way Mr Hudson has transformed his life in the wake of his arrest. He had become gravely ill with meningitis and there were fears for his life. However, he recovered and sat his Leaving Certificate having completed his studies at another school in the city. Solicitor Mr Ernest Cantillon said the defendant is now contributing to society and is employed in the hairdressing business.