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A WORKMAN HAS been sacked and a garda investigation has started after a woman claims she was the victim of unwanted sexual advances in her own home.
The woman had contacted her energy company and arranged for someone to come to her home to fit a new meter.
When the man arrived, she claims that he began acting in an inappropriate fashion. She has also claimed that at one point, the man grabbed her arm and tried to kiss her.
The woman, who realised that something untoward was happening, secretly started filming the worker.
The woman has since made a statement to gardaí who are now investigating the matter.
In videos seen by TheJournal.ie, the workman asks her: ”Would it be weird if I kissed you?” She responds that it would be. The man then adds that he could “get in a lot of trouble for this”.
You won’t let me kiss you then? I could get in a lot of trouble for doing this. Don’t say too much – you’ll get me in a lot of trouble. Still not getting that kiss goodbye? I hope I’m not getting myself in trouble here.
The woman said she felt pressured by the man during the callout which lasted around 30 minutes. She said she felt shaken and started crying the moment he left the house in Wicklow.
The woman contacted her energy company who said it would investigate the matter. Within hours, the man had been brought before a disciplinary panel and removed from his position. The CEO of the company contacted the woman directly and apologised for the behaviour of the staff member.
As an apology, she received a bunch of flowers and a €2,500 holiday voucher.
The man was subcontracted by a larger firm to provide services to the energy company.
A spokeswoman for the subcontractor said: “We are fully aware of the incident referred to. The actions of this former employee are wholly unacceptable. We do not tolerate any inappropriate behaviour and has taken all of the necessary actions in response and the employee is no longer working with the company.
“The company has engaged fully with the customer in relation to this issue. It is not appropriate to comment further at this time as the incident has been reported to An Garda Síochána.”
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Horrible experience for that lady. And he knows where she lives and that she reported him. Very intimidating situation for her.
@Karen Lord: the simple and real truth.
@Ixion99: Yup. Naive women, that’s definitely the lesson to take away from this.
Silly, silly naive women.
My god when will women learn. They are their own worst enemy.
Yup. You nailed that.
@Abbie Cranky: Isn’t it possible that there is a double lesson in every event or are you short sighted?
Whoever doesn’t report a crime whether that be male or female then they are silly and naive, and indeed responsible for that criminal behaviour prospering in the future. Time to grow up Cranky!
@Ixion99: Eh, the person who committed the assault. Given how complainants are treated in sexual assault cases, I wouldn’t blame anybody for not reporting an attack like this. And neither should you.
@Lisa Saputo: Then you are obstructing justice, but I guess you can say whatever you choose and you’ll find a reason to be correct.
@Lisa Saputo: Calling it an attack might be a bit of a stretch…
@Ixion99: I think, and I may be going out on a limb here. The person who behaves in a wholly inappropriate manner – especially while they are in another person’s home – is absolutely, entirely, and utterly to blame.
@A Piece of Chalk: well the woman was distraught afterwards and the Gardai are investigating so I wouldn’t think it’s too much of a stretch.
@Jack Jackson: Yes because victims of rape are treated so well. The overwhelming amount of successful convictions and harsh sentences handed down. Yup.
More silly women. If only they’d trust the system it would work out so much better for them.
Just so silly.
So
So
Silly.
@A Piece of Chalk: I was thinking the same. The fella left without a kiss or a job. This is a bit extreme.
@Jack Jackson: No. The one responsible is the criminal. Not the man or woman who reported them. Time to wise up, jack
@A Piece of Chalk: Of course it’s a bloody attack. It’s a disgraceful thing to do.
I remember when I was about 17 and living at home we had a plumber guy doing some work in the house, one evening the rest of my family were out and I was waiting for my boyfriend at the time to collect me. The plumber guy started coming on to me in a very obvious way, I never felt so uncomfortable in my life, he was about 20 years older than me. I remember seeing him in the local shopping centre with his wife and about 5 kids months later and he looked like he had been in a fight, I thought to myself, he must have tried it on with the wrong person! I never said it to anyone , I think because I can remember smiling as he was talking to me and I kinda thought maybe I had gave him the wrong impression( of course I know now I didn’t at all)
@Elaine Tok Tok: how much does he charge for a call out? I’ve a leaking radiator.
@Sean: not sure , it was about 20 years ago at this stage!!!
@Sean: https://youtu.be/udlENiipBCU Saved you 100 quid there mate. Not to mention the trouble of the having the plumber try it on with you.
@A Piece of Chalk: I think Sean would have been safe enough unless he’s a 17 year old girl!
@Elaine Tok Tok: Sean may be hoping otherwise.
@Elaine Tok Tok: Well considering the plumber is now about 60, he might be less picky and Sean is a good lookin fella.
@Elaine Tok Tok: fair play Elaine for describing your uncomfortable experience in a real, refreshingly non-sensationalist and non hate-fuelled manner. I, at least, can sympathise with you much more immediately as a result.
@Sean: he might fix your mahogany gas-pipe!
@Jazz Buckler: thanks, it was inappropriate yes but by no means an attack so I don’t feel traumatized or anything close to it. I would imagine many women have had some similar type of icky encounters in some shape or form. Most men I have come across throughout my life have been respectful and kind so experiences like that certainly don’t colour how I feel about men in general.
@Elaine Tok Tok: That’s a very mature attitude. I hope I can speak for most guys and say we love ye lot too :-)
@A Piece of Chalk: thanks
@Jazz Buckler: how kind of you
What a strange story to label as an “exclusive”, like it’s the scoop of the year or something, no disrespect meant to the lady of course.
@A Piece of Chalk:
Pulitzer Prize contender without a doubt.
Kudos to that energy company for taking swift and decisive action. Also a nice touch with the holiday voucher and flowers.
What would happen if the woman tried it on with the guy? Would that article be EXCLUSIVE if the shoe was on the other foot and he called the police?
@Jacques Decharnay: but what would we think of your comment if it was written by a woman or by your sister, mother or daughter? What would we think if, if, if or …..?
Anything but address the article and the relevant issue.
@Jacques Decharnay: it would be still sexual harassment and he could leave his work unfinished and leave the house. Unfortunately this incident happened in the woman’s home which, to me, would seem far more intimidating
@Jacques Decharnay: Men and women are not the same. Different dynamics exist between them. That’s why cougars are not seen as creepy but old guys with young girlfriends are.
@Jacques Decharnay: But yeah I agree, exclusive is a bit dramatic.
@Jacques Decharnay: supposing,supposing. How old are you 6?
What a weirdo .
@Nek nedyah:
Gobs**te might be more appropriate.
@Nek nedyah: Total creep sounds like.
If the mainstream of society tacitly approves of or does not oppose sexual harassment, or minimizes the gravity of such misconduct then such misconduct will be repeated and more frequent.
If the mainstream of society severely condemns such misconduct, it will be much more limited, less frequent and less of a problem for women.
We each make our own judgment. Based on the reported conduct, which I have no reason to be sceptical about, this was sexually abusive, threatening and harassing behaviour towards a women in her own home and was, no doubt, a frightening and a profoundly distressing experience for the victim.
@Michael Lang: ah michael i think im falling for ye. Well said, well written. I feel so much lighter
Classic chat up line.
@Ciarān: He might just need to brush on the timing though .
@Nek nedyah: It probably works for him in Copper Face Jacks
The only flippant comments on this topic are from men although not all men commenting are flippant
The comments from women are serious and sincere.
Some might think he is weird but I think he’s gas
“It’s not appropriate to comment further at this time”.. unless it’s on The Journal..
At least to me I think this a complete over reaction by the woman to bring this to the journal. The company dealt with it appropriately, I’m sure she took the gifts, he learned a valuable lesson so is everything now not addressed? As a man if only i could get the same outcome in that situation. Unfortunately thats a different scenario apparently. Its a crapy thing and it was wrong but ffs justice has more than been meated out. I now question the woman at the centre of this scandal!
@Billy Connelly: of course you do. There’s a fella at the start of the comments saying if she didn’t report it she’s to blame and now we have the “I don’t believe her” brigade. Why would a woman report this? Btw where does it say the woman reported this to the Journal? It was probably the Garda investigation which triggered the Journals report but you just keep blaming the woman!
@Deborah Behan: Deborah, for a start the title “exclusive” gives me the impression it was not a Garda investigation that triggered this. Additionally let me state this act was wrong, perverted and indefensible. This man probably has a predisposition to being a predator and needs to be watched. However, since time immemorial, there has always been people who do bad things to others and far far worse than this. It will continue long after both if us are long gone. It will never stop. Im not saying you have to agree or accept, but none have the choice to dictate it from happen ing again.. Unfortunately!
@Deborah Behan: I’m not blaming the woman for what happened. Im intimating that she should not have offered an “exclusive” to the journal as the man was sacked and she was compensated reasonabley. She was not raped, hurt or otherwise. Time to move on from this act as forevermore there will be injustice in this world to both woman and man. Why dont both of us try a trip to Syria to really see human suffering!
A bunch of flowers and a holiday voucher as compensation for alleged sexual assault by one of their employees! How f***ing condescending. Reminds me of Georgie Burgess in the Snapper giving Sharon a tenner to get some sweets.
@Anne Marie Devlin: Condecsending it may be but I bet she took the compo with a smile on her face.wonder what would have happened if it was a man in the house and a woman electrician,she probably would have just turned the whole thing back at him and everybody be thinking he is the pervert.it getting to a stage where soon you won’t be able to be alone with a stranger as we won’t know who to believe.
@Anne Marie Devlin: Sexual assault?
Where did you read that?
@Anne Marie Devlin: But they also investigated immediately and dismissed the guy that same day which is the appropriate response. The flowers and voucher were an unnecessary but lovely goodwill gesture. What more do you expect of them?
@Mary Ryan: Blood?
@Mary Ryan: Well, she wants to continue blaming them of course.
@Jonathan Ross: Why would she have accepted it with a smile on her face? I’m a woman and i would have been incensed. In fact the compo, for me, is worse than the man’s behaviour as it completely trivialises the incident and assumes that victims can be easily placated with a couple of treats.
You’re right, we definitely need more men who have been victims of sexual abuse by females to come forward. It’s highly stigmatised and many in society would consider a guy who a woman comes onto aggressively as lucky. In fact, that’s how it’s portrayed in tv and films. Apatow type films in particular are extremely harmful in that aspect. Men are depicted as always up for it no matter how or when they are approached. The #metoo movement should be inclusive of victims of abuse perpetrated by women
@VeeryDrink: alleged
@Anne Marie Devlin: ‘alleged’……..by you.
@Mary Ryan: if i had been subject to unwanted sexual advances by a representative of a company, an investigation and an apology would have sufficed. Good will gesture? I don’t think so
@Anne Marie Devlin: “after a woman claims she was the victim of unwanted sexual advances”
Where did the woman claim she was ‘sexually assaulted’ as you have claimed?
@Anne Marie Devlin: You strike me as the kind of woman who would be insulted if a gentleman held a door open for her to walk through or if a man insisted on paying for a meal.
We know the type.
@Anne Marie Devlin: They fired they guy, they will/did no doubt co-operate with the Gardaí, and she gets a nice holiday to forget about the creep. What more do you want them to do? Go to jail with him?
I’m glad that the Journal is highlighting these cases.
One of the postmen on my road is creep as well. I avoid him like the plague. He’s made comments about my purchases that left me wondering if the guy was for real. He makes my skin crawl.
@I wish I was my dog: general comments or inappropriate comments about your purchases? Have you reported him ?
A bunch of flowers. How great.
Is that him in the picture?
@Paul Roche:
Fierce likeness there all the same.
I think this used to go on a lot, may be it still does and women keep quiet. A good reminder that if we like someone, to offer a date or share an interest and see how we connect. Some people like a hand shake as appreciation after a good job done, some offer a hug … but this reads creepy.
@WoodlandBard: “some offer a hug” In a professional situation such as this, offering a hug is creepy!! Christ!!
@Jack Jackson: well it has happened to me a few times, client is happy, I get a hug … but I do not make the first move, and its never more than that … but my work is not trade service calls like this lad, my work has always been catering, entertainment, and event management. I may be too OT.
He’ll probably try to sue for unfair dismissal.. no warnings or investigation first.
@Siobhán Ni Mhurchú: unless of course he was already on a final warning.
@Siobhán Ni Mhurchú: with gross misconduct you can skip the verbal and written warnings and If this wasn’t gross misconduct I don’t know what is. I doubt he could even find a solicitor to try fight this
Sarcasm and smart comments should be banned from this forum.
Would it be weird if I kicked you straight in the nuts….what an absolute creep..
Crazy come on ! Imagine it was your wife or even daughter as the other girl that was 17 !! He obviously is a predator .. cant trust to many these days , people that overly nice most likely have a hidden agenda .. i hope the women can pit it behind her and next time on a call out visit have a trusted male precence !!
You can never be too careful who you let into your house these days, disgraceful behaviour from a so called ‘professional’
Honestly, who the hell would do this on the job. What was he thinking.
Mmmm…. maybe she she should have replied: ‘would it be weird if I kicked you in the nads?’
Flirting is ” hey how you doooin ” etc etc . Physical contact surely is assault
The apology, the flowers and the €2,500 should ensure he won’t met-er again. I could tolerate a fair amount of propositioning from members of either sex for that kind of money. How much is “copping a feel” worth? MasterCard, yes and – American Express..? That will do nicely thank you…And don’t worry about the flowers – or the apology. Really.
@Paul Jennings: wow! He was a stranger in her home. He was bigger than her. She did not want his attentions just her boiler fixed. Do you think she will ever feel safe letting a tradesman in her house again? Shove your flowers. But don’t worry we’ll give him your address and her can go around to you for a grope. Sounds like you’d deserve each other.
Giggidy
Am I just old fashioned because I can’t see any. wrong here.
Just as well he wasn’t a plumbing contractor.
A
@John Doherty: A happy birthday to Toby ?
Sarcasm and smart comments should be banned from this forum.
@Bríde Ní Bheaglaoích: Are you being sarcastic?
@Bríde Ní Bheaglaoích: I’ve reported your comment anyway, just in case you were.
Women n this country aren’t normal women. I know the fella who got himself in trouble after buying a chocolate bar to his teammate and she complained. Rediculous
Actually , no comment
Yes, yes it would! Now get the f u ck outta my house you absolute scrote..
I’m getting the word , nonce .
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