THE DUBLIN RAPE Crisis Centre (DRCC) has said the “terrifying ordeal” of a woman who was followed into her Dublin hotel by a man who pleaded guilty to stalking her “must surely mean more than a suspended sentence”. 

Denis Morris (24), of Braemore Road in Churchtown, received a fully suspended six-month sentence today having pleaded guilty earlier to stalking the 25-year-old woman after drinking 14 pints.

Dublin District Court heard he followed her from Harcourt Street into her hotel lift, while holding a belt and staring at her, then into the corridor near her room at around 2am on 21 March 2025. 

Judge Treasa Kelly today suspended the sentence on condition that Morris does not reoffend within 12 months, continues attending alcohol addiction treatment, and remains under Probation Service supervision for six months.

“Dublin Rape Crisis Centre is disappointed to learn of the suspended sentence handed down earlier today for stalking,” DRCC CEO Rachel Morrogh told The Journal. 

“The terrifying ordeal that the victim went through and the impact it has had on her life must surely mean more than a suspended sentence,” she said. 

Morrogh pointed to a pattern of cases whereby perpetrators of violence against women had pleaded guilty and been given suspended sentences.

One such case is Cathal Crotty, who received a three-year suspended sentence for beating Natasha O’Brien unconscious on a public street in May 2022. The sentence was later overturned by the Court of Appeal, and Crotty was jailed for two years. 

Referencing these cases, she said: “Time and time again, we see that an insignificant sentence for violence against women can lead to feelings of low self-worth, retraumatisation and powerlessness. It also discourages other victims from seeking justice if the sentence doesn’t feel proportionate to the crime.”

Morrogh said more survivors must be encouraged to use the justice system, but that it is understandable that some are discouraged from taken this route “for as long as suspended sentences remain a possible outcome”. 

Referencing International Women’s Day, which falls on 8 March, she added:

“It is a timely reminder that there is a chasm between the number of people in this country who are survivors of gender-based violence and the number of people who seek justice through the courts, and we need to do everything that is needed to close that gap.”

Victim impact statement

In her victim impact statement, which she read to the court at an earlier date, the woman said she had been working really hard since leaving school and had become a role model for people because of her job.

She spoke about how she had told herself in January that 2025 was her year, but that this incident had changed that.

She said that she had just attended an event where she had received new work with a brand. This had made her feel confident, and she celebrated with friends afterwards.

“That happy, proud moment was stripped from me,” she said.

She explained that she and her friends had made an effort to all get home safely, but she was still followed.

“I still blame myself,” she said, explaining that she wondered if she should have worn a jacket or covered up more.

“I constantly have nightmares,” she continued. “I get severe anxiety in public places.”

She told the court about how she used to love the freedom of travelling alone for work, but that now she’s turning down work.

It has just taken over my life.

She said she constantly battles with what might have happened.

“What if my Mam wasn’t there. Would I even still be here,” she asked.

“I remember standing in the lift. I was prepared to be hurt.”

She said she just wanted to get as much footage as possible so that her family would know what happened to her.

She said she had to put on a brave face for the public, but that it had changed her and her family’s lives forever.

“I hope justice will be served so I can finally move on.”

Stalking was made a standalone offence in Ireland in 2023. It carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison. 

With reporting from Natasha Reid and Tom Tuite