Bellaghy woman harassed ex-partner after affair ended

Dolores Convery (55), of Hunter’s Park in Bellaghy admitted a charge of harassing her former lover between February and July last year.

Imposing an order restraining Convery from contact with the injured party, District Judge Alan White told her that this contact had to stop and he was glad it had stopped.

“It’s a bit sad to see someone of your age in court at this time,” said Mr White. “I hope you can put this behind you and get on with your life.”

A prosecuting barrister claimed Convery harassed the injured party by making repeated calls to his phone and shouting comments at him in the street as well as stopping and staring at him, and throwing stones at his windows.

He said the injured party called at the station and reported the ongoing harassment by Convery and provided police with details, including the telephone number used to call him.

Continuing, counsel said police rang the number and spoke to the defendant.

The lawyer said, however, the harassment continued with stones thrown at the man’s windows, notes thrown into his garden, and mud put over his car.

On being interviewed by police, Convery claimed she had been bullied and harassed by the injured party for years.

He said the defendant claimed the phone did not belong to her and denied making calls to him.

Defence barrister Michael Forde said defendant’s behaviour was clearly unacceptable and, to her credit, she had a clear criminal record.

Mr Forde stressed defendant would have to live with the “shame and embarrassment” that goes with this type of offending.

He explained that Convery had an alcohol dependency problem and other health issues.

Mr Forde added that the judge would see from the probation report that the defendant’s GP “spoke well of her.”