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A FORMER Fianna Fail councillor returned to a restaurant three times in six days harassing a waitress he was fixated on telling her “she was the prettiest girl he had ever seen” and admitting he was “a kind of a stalker”.

Joseph O’Donovan, formerly known as Gary O’Flynn, appeared before Cork District Court today having pleaded guilty to one count of harassment.

PA:Press Association

PA:Press Association

The alleged offence occurred on three dates between July 30 and August 6, 2022 in Cork city.

The now 50-year-old, of Melvindale House, Coolowen, Blarney, Co Cork, was dining in a restaurant in the city centre on July 30 where he remained for over two hours drinking wine.

Sergeant John Kelleher prosecuting said O’Flynn told the waitress, who was 25 at the time that “she was the nicest and prettiest girl he had ever seen”.

He caught her hand, kissed it and held it to his chest making the young woman feel very uncomfortable.

On August 1 he returned and said he only wanted the victim to serve him.

He was asked to leave but he returned and said to her, while breathing in her ear: “You meet me outside for your tip and I want your phone number for it”.

He went outside and stood staring in the window.

She went out and asked him to leave her alone and as she returned to work, he told her she would see him again.

He was asked by staff to leave and he threw a €50 note at the victim.

On August 8, the waitress was finishing up her work and O’Donovan again tried to see her.

HEARD IN COURT

He stood in front of her and she told him to leave. He said: “Sorry I can’t help it I am a kind of stalker”.

O’Donovan was arrested on August 16 after the woman made a complaint about him.

He told Gardai the woman was very pretty and he had kissed her hand out of politeness and courtesy, like something in the movies. He had never intended to upset her.

He said she did not seem terrified of him and denied she had told him to stop harassing her.

He said he had given her a €50 tip inside the restaurant and another €50 outside.

He had tried to meet up with her as she was leaving work. He was sorry that he had disturbed her.

Sergeant Kelleher said O’Donovan had 26 previous convictions including three for soliciting a person to murder three people in 2013.

The victim read her own Victim Impact Statement, which Judge Mary Dorgan described as “powerful”.

She said she did not forgive or forget what O’Donovan had done. She said: “I never forgot his stares, his weird comments, the way he would linger and wait”.

‘HE DIDN’T STOP’

She said he had taken her working professionalism as permission.

She said: “When I said no he didn’t stop and from that moment on I didn’t feel safe.

“I never imagined that something as ordinary as going to work could turn into something I’d carry with me for years.”

She said what O’Donovan had done was not harmless flirting that wasn’t reciprocated, “it was a persistent, calculated and deeply intrusive campaign of harassment”.

She said: “This man looked me in the eyes and called himself a creep. This man looked me dead in the eyes and called himself a stalker, then laughed about it. He laughed with a laugh that made me recoil in fear and that has never left me”.

Defending lawyer Frank Buttimer said as a result of these incidents O’Donovan began to look at his circumstances and attended a consultant psychiatrist.

He had given up drink and was believed to be on the autism spectrum. He suffered from a depressive type illness and he was putting his life back together with the support of his family.

Judge Dorgan adjourned sentencing to October 3 next to allow for a full psychiatric report to be prepared as well as a probation report.

O’Donovan gave an undertaking that he would stay away from the victim and would not try to make any contact with her.

O’Donovan is the son of former TD, Noel O’Flynn and brother of Ken O’Flynn who was elected a TD in the last General Election.

Noel O’Flynn served in the constituency of Cork North Central from 1997 until his retirement in 2011 and O’Donovan, when he was known as Gary O’Flynn, was a sitting councillor in Cork city from 2003 to 2008.

He took his father’s old seat on the council in 2003 when the dual mandate ban came in to force.

He concluded his political career five years later with his seat going to his brother, Ken who held a seat ever since as an Independent councillor on the northside of Cork city until his election to the Dail.

HAVE you ever enjoyed your summer holidays so much you wished you could stay forever?

That’s exactly what Dubliner Sophie Lyons Wilson’s family did when she was just nine – and now a mum herself, she’s positive she won’t be leaving her beloved new home in Spain.

Sophie, 23, says her parents decided to make the move in 2010 after they realised the family was “so much happier” when on their Spain vacations.

She told the Irish Sun: “We were much happier over here, the days felt brighter and we seemed to have more time.

“When we came over it was such a time for friends and family, we were together and we just knew that life would stay like that when we moved over here.”

And once she met her partner Dylan, they knew Spain was where they wanted to raise their daughter, five, and one-year-old son.

The mum-of-two, originally from Malahide, hailed the quality of life in Malaga and said there’s a “huge difference” to Ireland.

Living just a 10 minute drive from stunning Marbella, Sophie and her kids enjoy countless beach days and hours spent having fun in playgrounds and activities.

Sophie said: “100 per cent there is a huge difference of the quality of life for us since moving.

“Just for my kids and all, they seem to grow up a little bit slower over here and that is one of my favourite things.

“There is a lot of pressure for kids to start drinking young, smoking and partying.

“Whereas over here you still see 14-year-olds in playgrounds and that is one of my favourite things about it, I like that my kids just stay kids a little while longer.”

Sophie shares her experiences on her TikTok account – @Sophielyonswilsonn – with a series of videos giving an insight into a day in the life as an Irish native living in Spain.

Sophie and Dylan both speak Spanish – with Dylan, who was born in Spain to Northern Irish parents, running a bar for work.

When it comes to costs, Sophie said despite a rise in prices since the pandemic, “it’s still so much cheaper” than in Ireland.

She said: “For us, we are a family of four and the weekly shop averages between €100 to €250 a week.

“It used to be a lot cheaper but then Covid hit and there’s been a small increase but it’s still so much cheaper than back home.”

The family rent a two-bedroom apartment for €1,200 a month, with Sophie admitting rent can be an issue in the area.

However she still reckons it is better value than renting back home in Dublin.

And paired with the stellar quality of life, Sophie says she’ll “never leave”.

EASY DECISION

She explained: “Just for the quality of life here, playgrounds open till 8pm, sky is brighter, my weekends are packed full of activities with beaches, pools and zoos.

“And with rent, the prices back home I’d probably never leave here.“

And praising healthcare in Spain, Sophie said: “Once you have a job over here the healthcare is free and I couldn’t fault it.

“We also had private health insurance, for the four of us I pay €170 a month and that’s full coverage.

“I had both of my babies via C-section and they cover everything, if we ever need surgery, honestly I feel like it’s the best money I could spend.”

Primary and secondary public schools are free in the region, with Sophie’s daughter still in creche costing the family €300 a month.

Sophie said: “We had a private nursery for my daughter and it cost €300 a month and that was for her to be there from 9-5.

“With her there five full days a week, you can’t even compare it back home.”

But they are challenges too, one being the loneliness.

MISSING HOME

Sophie explained: “You take for granted living close to your relatives.

“And we were so close to our family, we would see them at least three or four times a week, so to come here not speak a word of the language and only have each other was quite lonely.

“Friends that we made, they come and go here as they move over for a few years and then they might move back home.

“So we would lose a lot of friends over the years, which created the lonely side of things.”

But she has since learned the language and immersed herself in the culture, calling locals her “second family”.

And Sophie is not alone among Irish people who’ve taken the plunge to make Spain their forever home, as Jessica Baker-Daza also told us.

And it’s a case of work imitating life, as the Spain expert now runs her own company to assist other expats who are planning to relocate to the sun.

The official trailer of the “It’s Okay To Not Be Okay” PH adaptation starring Anne Curtis, Joshua Garcia, and Carlo Aquino has finally been released. “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” Philippine adaptation will soon air on various platforms. The cast of the series includes Anne Curtis, Joshua Garcia, and Carlo Aquino. They are going to play the ... Read more

The post Anne Curtis, Joshua Garcia, Carlo Aquino In “It’s Okay To Not Be Okay” Official Trailer appeared first on PhilNews.

CORONATION Street and Hollyoaks actress Sonia Ibrahim has given birth to her second child.

The soap star welcomed a little boy named Carter Benjamin Machin and introduced him to her followers on Instagram this afternoon.

Instagram

Sonia Ibrahim has given birth to an adorable baby boy[/caption]

Instagram

Sonia and husband Arron Machin announced their baby news in February[/caption]

Sonia, who is best known for playing Mel Maguire on the ITV soap, looked adoringly at the newborn in a sweet snap.

She wrote: “Sunday 22nd June at 10:26pm my life became complete. My beautiful boy Carter Benjamin Machin arrived, 7lbs of pure perfection. You are loved more than you will ever know little man.”

Sonia, who is married to Arron Machin, was congratulated on her bundle of joy as her friends and followers took to the comments section underneath the post to send their messages of congratulations.

Corrie stars including Lucy Fallon and Hollyoaks actress Jessica Fox were two of the first to send messages. 

Lucy posted: “gorgeous, congratulations xxxxx.”

Jessica wrote: “Ohhhhhh congratulations.”

Chelsee Healey said: “congratulations darling carter is perfect.”

A fan shared: “Aghhhh congratulations Sonia and family! He’s perfect.”

Sonia announced she was expecting her second baby in February, just over three years since the birth of her first child, Sienna.

She had a baby shower with her nearest and dearest three weeks ago, even managing a few dance moves in a figure-hugging cream dress.

Writing at the time, she said: “The most perfect afternoon spent with the most beautiful people showering my little Prince.

“Thank you so much to the kindest, most thoughtful beautiful besties I could wish for organising my baby shower we love you.”

Sonia had memorable moments in Corrie as brainwashed salon assistant Mel.

She kidnapped Bethany Platt, threatening her with a wheel wrench before stuffing her into a car in a bid to stop the schoolgirl testifying against vile groomer Nathan Curtis in court.

Sonia told us at the time: “She knows what all these men are capable of and she’s petrified of them all but she’s in love with Nathan.

“He groomed her from the start; in his eyes, he knew what she wanted from Mel.

“He picked her because Mel doesn’t have a family; she’s a very vulnerable girl, and he knew what he could do to her, so in his eyes, he saw his victim straight away.

After her exit, she said: “It’s been an amazing time, it’s been great to work here.

“The opportunity I’ve had is amazing and it’s just a massive family and everyone’s so welcoming and it’s so nice to work with such great people.”

Last year she starred as school social worker Jamilah Omar for six episodes in Waterloo Road, before moving on to Hollyoaks in November, playing Kat Omari.

Instagram

Sonia is mum to daughter Sienna, who is now four[/caption]

SOPHIE TURNER is definitely back on with her boyfriend Peregrine Pearson – after they cosied up in the VIP area.

Pals said the pair had split earlier this year but last week insiders confirmed they’d reconnected.

The Sun

Sophie Turner has reunited with her aristocrat boyfriend Peregrine Pearson[/caption]

The Sun

Gentleman Peregrine got the drinks in for the actress[/caption]

Onlookers saw Sophie and Peregrine propping up the posh Millers Bar backstage, with the pair hugging and kissing.

They added: “Sophie and Peregrine were very affectionate with each other.

“Whatever lovers tiff they had its clearly all in the past now because they looked mad for each other.

“He was being very sweet and ordered the drinks and carried them for her.”

We revealed last week how Sophie, 29, had met with the 30-year-old toff in London — and reconnected with him on social media.

She and the heir to a £224million fortune were an item last year but were last pictured together this March.

Mum-of-two Sophie is divorced and Turner has a claim to be Britain’s most eligible bachelor.

The Sun first revealed how the pair had started dating in October 2023, following the breakdown of Sophie’s marriage to American pop star Joe Jonas.

Back when the pair split, a source said: “Sophie and Peregrine had a great time together but the relationship ran its course.

“She is single and is focusing on her career and her two daughters.”

Peregrine, heir of the 4th Viscount Cowdray, had been dating King Charles’s goddaughter, model Princess Maria-Olympia of Greece and Denmark, before he started dating Sophie.

Fans also spotted Sophie had unfollowed Peregrine on social media.

Joe filed for divorce from Sophie on September 5, 2022, with the couple releasing a joint statement the following day.

They said: “After four wonderful years of marriage we have mutually decided to amicably end our marriage.”

It took a dramatic turn a year later when Sophie sued Joe and accused him of the “wrongful retention” of their two daughters.

Getty

Sophie and the heir to a £224million fortune were an item last year[/caption]

Getty

Sophie was previously married to singer Joe Jonas[/caption]

DRIVERS have been warned of traffic chaos on the M5 after a caravan crash this evening.

Bumper-to-bumper queues are building on the major motorway after a smash unfolded near Avonmouth Bridge, Bristol, on the southbound carriageway.

Motorists were forced to navigate debris strewn over the road following the collision.

Traffic is now at a standstill as investigations are underway between J18 M49 to J19 A369 Martcombe Road (Portishead).

Traffic monitoring site Inrix confirmed: “All traffic being temporarily held and stationary traffic due to debris on road and accident, a caravan involved on M5 Avonmouth Bridge Southbound from J18 M49 to J19 A369 Martcombe Road (Portishead).

“Traffic held now around 18:35.”

It follows “severe delays” on the M5 this afternoon Northbound between J23 A39 (Bridgwater North) and J22 (Burnham-On-Sea), according to AA.

The congestion formed after another crash earlier today.

This comes after we reported on a horror bus accident yesterday.

Shocking footage shows the double decker narrowly avoiding cars before flying off the road near Eastleigh, Hampshire yesterday morning.

19 people were left injured following the disturbing ordeal, which was over in a matter of seconds.

A youngster behind the camera says: “Oh my god, the bus has just had a major crash and now he’s speeding off.”

Someone else yells in panic: “Get away from the windshield.”

“We’re going to die, we’re actually going to die, what’s he doing?”, says the concerned boy filming.

“Oh my god, oh my god, we’re actually going to die,” he repeats, his voice growing more shaky.

Terrified screams pierce through the air as the camera falls and the large vehicle loses control.

The video cuts off as the bus ploughs into the River Itchen, on Bishopstoke Road, near Eastleigh.

It comes as the driver earlier blamed faulty brakes and a “jammed accelerator”.

Three passengers were rushed to hospital while fourteen were treated for minor injuries.

Pictures from the scene also showed the large blue bus sitting upright in the shallow river with broken railings left behind.

Elsewhere, the moment a speeding driver leaves a woman for dead in a crushed car to pick up his scattered £20 notes was caught on camera.

Ty Kelsall smashed into the victim, who is aged in her 50s, as she drove along a quiet street in Rotherham, South Yorkshire.

Alamy

Drivers have been warned of traffic chaos on the M5 after a caravan crash this evening[/caption]

NOTTINGHAM FOREST have been given the green light for a major stadium redevelopment which will see a stand get demolished.

Benoy Architects

Nottingham Forest have received the green light for a stadium redevelopment[/caption]

Benoy Architects

A new stand will be erected costing £130million and boosting capacity to 35,000[/caption]

The huge project costs around £130million — up £36m from its original estimates in 2019.

And Forest’s plans have now been approved by Rushcliffe Borough Council, allowing the club to move forward with building work.

They will now rip down the Peter Taylor Stand and replace it with a new 10,000-seater terrace coming in at 38m high.

That will boost the City Ground’s capacity from 30,000 seats to 35,000.

And it will also inject £13million a year into the local economy by creating hundreds of new jobs.

Forest revealed their “delight at the news” in a statement on Friday.

They added: “We look forward to working closely with our partners on the next steps and will provide a further update in due course.”

The rebuild comes at a perfect time for Forest, who defied expectations to qualify for the Conference League last season.

The City Ground has seen multiple improvements since it opened in 1898, with the last of five rebuilds taking place in 1996.

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But once work is done on the new stand, Forest plan on another expansion.

The longer-term plan is to develop the Bridgford Stand, eventually taking the City Ground’s capacity to 40,000.

AFP

The City Ground was built in 1898[/caption]

Getty

The last work done on it was in 1996[/caption]

An apartment block of 169 flats is also in the works to built next door.

But that would not start until 2026 at the earliest.

AMAZON is selling a “breathable” blanket to keep you cosy in the heat this summer without feeling weighed down.

What’s better is that it’s more than half the price of the Dunelm version so is a great option on a budget.

Amazon

Amazon’s Cooling Blanket is perfect for those hot summer nights[/caption]

Dunelm

It’s more than half the price of Dunelm’s version too[/caption]

Amazon’s Cooling Summer Blanket is available from just £7.99 and comes in a variety of sizes and colours.

Breathable and lightweight, the blanket is designed with special materials to promote airflow and stop overheating.

It’s lightweight design means you can stay cosy without feeling weighed down.

Made with advanced cooling fabric technology it provides an instant chill sensation and is perfect for hot sleepers and warmer temperatures.

Crafted from premium, hypoallergenic materials the cooling blanket is suitable for sensitive skin too.

It’s ideal for beds or if you fancy a quick snooze on the settee but its also ideal for when you’re camping or travelling.

What’s better is that it’s machine washable and quick to dry so is hassle free to maintain.

It retains its cooling properties even after multiple washes.

The Summer Cooling Blanket comes in a wide range of different colours and sizes.

If you don’t fancy the green version, you can also buy in hot pink, light blue, yellow and lots more depending on the size of your choice.

Sizes range from 150cm in length by 100cm in width all the way up to 200 by 230cm.

You can also make savings of up to 40% when you purchase more than one.

It’s already gained five star reviews too.

One customer who gave the product a five-star rating said: “Great value for money and keeps me cool at night.

“But pay attention to the size you purchase!”

Another happy customer said: “It’s solved the problem of hot, sweaty nights, I would recommend it.”

It’s a great option if you’re looking for a cool blanket this summer on a budget.

Dunelm’s Holden Bedspread comes in £20 and is only available as a double kingsize, measuring 235cm x 235cm.

But that’s still more expensive than Amazon’s largest cooling blanket.

Dunelm also doesn’t offer as many colour options.

But it has seen some good reviews with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.

One person said: “Comfy enough to be used over a sheet instead of a duvet and handy for throwing over the settee.”

With temperatures set to soar again, it’s important to keep cool in the heat, especially at night.

Fortunately, many people have tips and tricks to stay cool while snoozing and they’ve been gracious enough to share them.

NINETIES sketch comedy The Fast Show has been given trigger warnings by the BBC — including for one of its infamous Suit You Sir scenes.

The Corporation has flagged up two episodes of Paul Whitehouse and Charlie Higson’s classic series on iPlayer for using “discriminatory language”.

One is for episode five of series three, which aired in December 1997.

It is most likely for a sketch featuring the outspoken tailors asking a customer if they would like to have sex with a “she-male”, with the customer then declaring: “Come on you tr*nnies!”

Episode one of the second series, from February 1996, also has a warning.

That is likely due to a scene featuring the Middle Aged Guys who declare two women who rebuff their advances “lesbians”.

The BBC does not indicate which scenes their trigger warnings apply to. But the notes could also be for the beloved Chanel 9 News skit — delivered with fake Spanish word including “Scorchio”.

All 25 episodes of the Bafta winning show are on iPlayer.

The trigger warnings come after the BBC also slapped notes on The Office and Only Fools and Horses.

In February, Channel 4 was branded “humourless” for flagging a series of Father Ted episodes on its streaming service.

Regulators also hit Graham Linehan’s Bafta-winning sitcom The IT Crowd with advisories, with one telling sensitive viewers: “This episode was made in 2006 and contains strong, strong/offensive derogatory language and adult humour.”

And ITV has slapped 1970s comedy George & Mildred with a similar caution.

WATFORD midfielder Imran Louza wants to leave the club after a fall-out with the new head coach.

Uruguayan boss Paulo Pezzolano has only just taken over at Vicarage Road from Tom Cleverley but after an exchange of views with the new manager, Louza – last season’s player of the year – has told the Hornets he is looking to find another club.

Shutterstock Editorial

Imran Louza wants to leave Watford[/caption]

Getty

The midfielder has fallen out with new boss Paulo Pezzolano[/caption]

Owner Gino Pozzo had been hoping to keep hold of the Moroccan international, along with the likes of Giorgi Chakvetadze and Kwadwo Baah, in an attempt to try and challenge for at least a Championship play-off spot.

But a week into the reign of Pezzolano, Louza has told club officials that he is looking at other options.

Louza joined from Nantes in 2021 for £9million but is now worth about £12m.

He signed a new contract in 2023 with his deal running to 2028.

Louza made 33 appearances, scored twice and picked up five assists last season having improved under Cleverley who left the club at the end of the campaign.

Prior to that, Louza had spent half a season out on loan at Lorient and seemed set to leave Watford.

However, after struggling initially last term Louza flourished under Cleverley, even captaining the team.

Following new boss Pezzolano’s arrival at Vicarage Road last month, Sporting Director Gian Luca Nani said: “Paulo has a hugely impressive track record working with young players, which is essential when you look at the age profile of our squad.

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“He has had success at virtually every club, including league titles and promotions, but it is his work on the training ground that impressed the most when we undertook our research.

“He has innovative ideas and processes which he transmits passionately to the players.

“We believe Paulo is the leader we need as we refocus ahead of the new season.

“He is fully aware of our ambitions and determination to push for promotion and embraces that challenge.”