Former Garda Paul Moody Sentenced To Four Years For Harrassment And Coercive Control Of Ex-Partner

Tuesday, 19 May 2026 15:09

By Hannah Kelly

Former garda member and Celbridge man Paul Moody

The Celbridge resident was previously jailed for subjecting another former girlfriend to what she described as "three years of hell

A former Garda has been sentenced to four years and nine months in prison for harassing and coercively controlling his ex-partner.

Paul Moody, of St Raphael’s Manor, Celbridge, was previously jailed for subjecting another former girlfriend to what she described as "three years of hell."

Between March 2016 and November 2017, Paul Moody engaged in a prolonged and deeply abusive pattern of behaviour against his former partner.

The court heard evidence of what was described as a campaign of “intimidation, manipulation and psychological abuse.”

It included thousands of abusive messages being sent over a matter of days, repeated threats and efforts to control aspects of her life.

He created fake email and social media accounts and threatened to send intimate photos of her to colleagues of hers, including her boss.

In her victim impact statement, she said she felt like a prisoner in her own home and described her life with Moody as “surviving, not living.”

She complained to GSOC but felt the garda watchdog did nothing about it and described the years of inaction as being like “an extension of the abuse.”

In 2022, Moody was jailed for coercively controlling another former partner, Nicola Hanney.

Ms Hanney gave up her anonymity to participate in the RTÉ documentary 'Taking Back Control' to describe the coercive control and abuse she endured at the hand of the former garda and Celbridge man.

She hopes her story encourages others in similar situations to seek help.

In 2025, Ms Hanney featured on Kildare Today, which can be listened to here.