Gardai probing claim man arrested on suspicion of stalking Senator Lisa Chambers had trousers open
GARDAI are probing a claim that a man arrested on suspicion of stalking a serving senator had his trousers open at the time.
The suspect, in his 20s, was tracked down after a complaint that he was hiding in bushes at a property visited by Fianna Fail’s Lisa Chambers.
It is understood the man is a member of a rival political party.
The arrest came earlier this month after Gardai were alerted to an incident at a relative of Ms Chambers, 37, near Castlebar, Co Mayo, after the politician dropped by.
It has been claimed that the man may have had his belt off and trousers undone.
Gardaí were called and he was removed from the area.
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A backpack he is believed to have been carrying was found in a nearby ditch.
Gardai believe the man may have bussed to Castlebar before walking several kilometres to the property.
One line of inquiry is that days before the same man engaged the politician in conversation after an event outside Co Mayo at which the European parliamentary election candidate had spoken.
The senator, Fianna Fail’s spokesperson on Foreign and European Affairs in the Seanad, has not commented.
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The Irish Independent reported a source close to her saying that she had found the incident deeply distressing but has continued with her commitments.
Ms Chambers, who will bid to win a Midlands North-West constituency seat in Brussels next month, was key to the successful campaign that made stalking a criminal offence in Ireland.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE BILL
The Criminal Justice Bill 2022 ensured courts will be able to issue civil restraining orders against stalkers even if they don’t have a criminal conviction.
She said at the time: “I’m delighted to see this legislation get Government approval.
“This legislation will allow the courts and Gardai to move faster to protect victims from stalkers before a criminal conviction is obtained.
“Civil orders for stalking behaviour are important feature of the Criminal Justice Bill 2022 which will allow early intervention to protect victims of stalking.”
She has previously told of enduring numerous distressing incidents, speaking out about what many female politicians Two years ago she told of receiving a handwritten rape threat to her constituency office.
She said at the time: “There are people out there who think it’s OK to abuse politicians and others, and that has led to quite a toxic environment for us to operate in.
Gardaí do not believe that rape threat and the alleged stalking incident are linked.
'INVESTIGATING COMPLAINT'
A garda spokesperson said officers “investigating a complaint made by a public representative in the west of the country arrested a male in his 20s this week for an alleged offence.
“He was subsequently released without charge and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
“An Garda Síochána continue to keep the public representative fully informed as to the progress of this investigation.”