Paul Moody, a member of An Garda Síochána, has been jailed for three years and three months for coercively controlling his former girlfriend.
Moody pleaded guilty to coercively controlling the woman over a three-and-a-half-year period, beginning soon after they met online in May 2017.
During that time, he sent her tens of thousands of “vile, abusive and threatening” messages.
The court heard he also beat her, harassed her and her loved ones, threatened to kill her, damaged her property, and recklessly put her life in danger in his car.
Moody, who has over 20 years’ experience in An Garda Síochána, is currently suspended but intends to resign, which means his departure won’t be delayed by internal disciplinary proceedings.
In her victim impact statement yesterday, the woman described him as very funny and charming when they first met but said he quickly turned into a monster.
Today, the judge described him as a bully who made her life hell before jailing him for three years and three months.
If you are or anyone you know has been impacted by any of the issues discussed in this article, you can contact the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 1800 77 8888.
Main image: A lamp sign outside a Garda Station.
