A Dublin-based Garda who harassed his sergeant through emails and Facebook has been committed to the Central Mental Hospital.
Donal Maguire, who is from Bundoran in Co Donegal, was found not guilty by reason of insanity earlier this month.
The harassment began in February 2012 when Mr Maguire sent his superior officer a Valentine’s card.
She assumed it was a prank but became concerned when he started sending her emails through the Garda PULSE system.
Despite numerous warnings, he kept trying to contact her until she decided to make a formal complaint after he sent her a Facebook friend request.
Before returning with the unanimous verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity, the jury heard he was diagnosed with a form of dementia, with symptoms including erotomania – a delusion in which a person believes someone, who is usually of a higher social status, to be in love with them.
Today, Judge Alma Sheehan was told he is making significant improvements but is still suffering from the disorder and is in need of further treatment.
She then made an order for him to be committed to the Central Mental Hospital where his case will remain under review.
