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23 Feb 2026

County Derry man, who suspected his wife was having an affair, charged with harassment and stalking

Dermot Kealy (52) with an address at Leitrim Road in Castledawson faced a charge of harassment that was said to have occurred on February 20, 2026. He was also charged with stalking on the same date and abuse of the telecommunications network to send threatening messages

Suspended sentence for Donegal man at Derry Magistrate's Court

Derry Magistrates' Court

Reporter:

Court Reporter

23 Feb 2026 3:00 PM

Email:

news@derrynow.com

A man, who suspected his wife was having an affair with his former accountant, has appeared at Derry Magistrates' Court today charged with harassment and stalking.
Dermot Kealy (52) with an address at Leitrim Road in Castledawson faced a charge of harassment that was said to have occurred on February 20, 2026.
He was also charged with stalking on the same date and abuse of the telecommunications network to send threatening messages. 
A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail. 
He told the court that the alleged injured party had originally been an accountant for Kealy but the relationship had ended in June last year amid allegations that the man had slept with Kealy's wide.
On February 20 the alleged victim said he had received emails from Kealy initially about tax matters but then a total of four emails of 'a threatening and abusive nature' were received. 
One of the emails allegedly said 'I just want to see you two f-----s die a horrible death.'
The alleged victim told his wife about the messages and she phoned Kealy's wife.
She told police that the defendant's wife had said she had been in a van with the defendant when he had driven to the injured party's work place and also his home address and sat outside. 
A police officer said that they had concerns about releasing Kealy as there was a risk of reoffending. 
Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that there was nothing of this nature on the defendant's record.
He said he could be released on bail with conditions prohibiting from entering Castledawson or having any contact with the alleged injured parties.
Kealy was released on bail to an address approved by the PSNI, to have no contact with the alleged injured parties and not to enter Castledawson. 
He is also to observe a curfew and not to have any Internet-enabled device. 
He will appear again on March 11.

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