Former Couple Faces Jail Time for Harassing Dentist

Bizarre Campaign of Intimidation Leads to Convictions

IRELAND: A former couple is facing up to 10 years in prison for what prosecutors describe as a “campaign of intimidation and harassment” against their former dentist. Michael De Souza, 36, and Emma Maun, 28, were remanded in custody pending sentencing after being convicted of multiple offenses, including making false sexual allegations and damaging property.

Origins of the Conflict

The trouble began after the dentist, who remains anonymous due to a court order, performed routine dental procedures on both De Souza and Maun in 2020 and 2021. The situation escalated when the dentist recommended that Maun seek more extensive treatment at a maxillofacial facility.

Prosecuting counsel John O’Sullivan BL told the Limerick Circuit Criminal Court that Maun was “unhappy” about this referral. This dissatisfaction apparently triggered a series of events that would spiral into months of harassment.

Escalating Harassment

The court heard that the accused engaged in various forms of intimidation, including:

• Sending private messages to the dentist’s personal social media accounts
• Lurking outside the dentist’s office
• Following the dentist by car
• Damaging the dentist’s vehicle

Perhaps most disturbingly, De Souza admitted to sending an “extremely vulgar” card to the dentist on Valentine’s Day 2022. According to Mr O’Sullivan, this act “left her fearful and disgusted, and it increased her anxiety.”

False Allegations and Criminal Damage

The harassment campaign took a more serious turn when De Souza visited two Garda stations to make false allegations of sexual impropriety against the dentist. He later pleaded guilty to these false accusations, as well as to criminal damage to the dentist’s car in March 2022.

The dentist, clearly shaken by the ordeal, told Gardai that there was “no rationale” to the couple’s actions, adding that it seemed they had “a bizarre fixation with me, and I don’t know why.”

In a powerful victim impact statement, the dentist broke down in court, expressing her ongoing fear for her safety. She stated, “I worry what they (Maun and De Sousa) might do next.” The dentist also revealed that De Souza’s card “made my skin crawl” and that watching the accused laughing during their trial “was sickening.”

Plea for Leniency

As the case moves towards sentencing, Maun has submitted a letter to Judge Dermot Sheehan, pleading for leniency. She cited the need to care for her 5-year-old daughter, who reportedly has health issues.

The court is set to pass sentence on July 26, with De Souza and Maun potentially facing up to 10 years in prison. This case has shed light on the devastating impact that harassment can have on healthcare professionals and serves as a stark reminder of the serious consequences of such behavior.