Friends of a mother whose life was turned into “living hell” by a relentless stalker have called out to help her make a fresh start.
community activist Laura O’Connell wept when Sonya Egan (42) was sentenced to two years in prison by a judge in Cork last month for a terrifying campaign of harassment that scared her out of her own home, cost her a beloved job and forced her social media and even made her consider moving abroad to end her torment.
Ms O’Connell admitted before the Cork Circuit Criminal Court that Egan’s campaign had effectively ruined her life – leaving her nearly €30,000 in debt after years of desperate legal efforts to get Egan to leave her alone.
Now friends of Ms. O’Connell have launched a GoFundMe appeal with the goal of raising $28,000 to enable her to pay off her debts and start a new chapter of her life, safe from her stalker.
Friends of Ms O’Connell said the bullying campaign had made her sick, forced her to give up the job she adored and made her dependent on social assistance and support from St. Vincent de Paul.
They said Ms. O’Connell had endured “four years of hell” – and they launched the call to help her get a fresh start.
“During these horrific and excruciating four years, Laura had nowhere to go for safety or protection because the laws and resources just weren’t there,” said a friend.
“The impact of her horrible experience has not only affected her physical health, but her mental health as well.
“In addition to the ordeal, the long time she spent with gardaí preparing evidence and a plethora of lawsuits have caused Laura a massive disruption to her home, work and business, leaving her grossly out of pocket.
Sonya Egan was jailed for her prolonged harassment of Ms O’Connell and former Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O’Brien. Photo: Provision
“Unfortunately at that time it became so unbearable that Laura was forced to request a court order.
“The courts have ordered her perpetrator to pay the charges, but to date these charges have remained unpaid and have resulted in a verdict against Laura for legal costs totaling €26,288.54.
“Laura’s resilience and strength have understandably dried up over the past four years. Bullying and harassment can happen to all of us, but this was a whole different level. No one can turn to our laws and improve systems to protect the victim and put them first.”
Her friends said the appeal was intended to help the young woman move on with her life.
“One day she hopes to campaign for more humane and better rights for crime victims when she is back on her feet and stronger.
“Let’s help her in her quest to do this.”
Egan, a mother of three, was sentenced to two years in prison last month after waging a terrifying campaign of harassment against Ms O’Connell and former Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O’Brien.
Egan appealed the severity of her sentence within 24 hours of her jail time.
She had falsely claimed to be the daughter of former Labor Party leader Jeremy Corbyn and her relentless campaign of harassment was such that a judge noted it had caused “torment” to her two victims.
Egan told former Cork TD Jonathan O’Brien she loved him – and, after he later made serious accusations against the Cork politician, promised him she would drop all claims “if he gave in to her feelings for him.” “.
Judge Helen Boyle noted in the Cork Circuit Criminal Court last month that the campaign of harassment lasted more than a year and targeted not only the two victims but their families, including parents and children.
It also involved multiple forms of harassment, including online platforms, and had serious financial consequences for the victims.
Ms O’Connell, who fought back tears by making an emotional victim statement during the trial, said Egan had ruined her life, left her in fear and crippled her financially.
The victim said she was so “torn” by Egan’s actions that she considered leaving Ireland.
The impact of the false claims was compounded by several conspiracy theory groups siding with Egan.
When Gardaí seized Egan’s phone, she was found to have made 5,500 phone calls, texts and social media messages to the Sinn Féin TD over a six-month period.
Egan also had 16 active Facebook accounts on her phone, including accounts in which she was falsely linked to Jeremy Corbyn and a relative of one of the Birmingham Six.
The woman claimed to be a lawyer and investigative journalist at various times.
She pleaded guilty to two charges of harassment against Mr O’Brien and Mrs O’Connell.