ANTHONY DUNNE'S SHOCKING SHOWER CAM SCANDAL IN CO KILDARE AND DUBLIN

In April 2022, a disturbing case unfolded involving Anthony Dunne, a 61-year-old man from Hazelmere, Naas, Co Kildare, who was convicted of secretly recording two women in vulnerable moments within their own homes. The victims, who chose to waive their right to anonymity to ensure Dunne faced justice, expressed that their decision was justified by the satisfaction of witnessing his reaction upon learning he would be imprisoned.

Anthony Dunne was handed a custodial sentence of 12 months after being found guilty of installing hidden cameras to record his partner’s daughter-in-law, Leanne Daly, as she showered at her mother-in-law’s residence in Clondalkin in 2020. Additionally, he received a four-month sentence for secretly filming Paula Jordan, a colleague he had known for over two decades, by setting up a covert camera in the shower at O’Neill’s Factory on Long Mile Road, Walkinstown, Dublin, on March 23 of the previous year. The sentences are to run concurrently, meaning Dunne will serve a total of 12 months.

Prior to his arrest, Dunne was in a relationship with Leanne’s mother-in-law. Leanne, who had known him for 13 years and considered him a trusted member of her extended family, was deeply shocked and disturbed by his actions. She recounted her disbelief at how Dunne could record her in the shower and then casually view the videos, even sitting across from her as if nothing had happened. Her courage in coming forward was driven by a desire for justice and the satisfaction of seeing him face the consequences.

Leanne expressed her relief and satisfaction at the court’s decision, stating, “I’m glad now that it’s a harsh reality for him to realize. I’m convinced he thought he was getting away with it. To see the look on his face was worth it.” Her sentiments were echoed by Paula Jordan, who also welcomed the custodial sentence. Paula described Dunne’s reaction as one of shock and noted his visibly shaken state as he was taken into custody. She observed that he had no bag with him, only his car keys, and that he appeared visibly trembling and unsteady as he was led out through the side door of the court.

Both women praised Judge Orla Crowe for her understanding of the gravity of Dunne’s crimes. In her sentencing remarks, Judge Crowe highlighted that Dunne’s actions involved significant premeditation, contrary to his own claims of a moment of madness in a letter of apology he submitted to the court. Dunne’s behavior was further documented through CCTV footage, which showed him watching Paula at her workplace to track her movements, including her going out for a jog on the day he installed the camera.

Paula described Dunne’s conduct as stalking, emphasizing that his actions were not impulsive but calculated. Leanne concurred, praising the judge’s perceptiveness and condemning Dunne’s attempts to deceive the court. She pointed out that if his actions were truly a moment of madness, he would not have repeated them over a period of months, including a year apart. Both women expressed their belief that Dunne’s time behind bars would give him ample opportunity to reflect on his actions, with Leanne sarcastically questioning whether his supposed “moment of madness” was worth the suffering he caused.

The case came to light in March of the previous year when Paula, after showering at her workplace, lost her balance and accidentally knocked over some boxes. During this incident, she discovered a phone connected to a camera that had been recording her shower. Further investigation revealed an email linked to Dunne logged into the device. Dunne subsequently resigned from his job after admitting to placing the camera. Paula retained the camera and contacted the Gardaí, leading to Dunne’s arrest and subsequent conviction. Analysis of the device confirmed that Dunne had also recorded Leanne, further implicating him in the criminal activity.

While Dunne issued a written apology to the court, both Leanne and Paula dismissed it as insincere, believing his remorse was solely motivated by the fact that he was caught. Leanne summed up her feelings by stating, “The only thing he is sorry for is that he got caught, nothing else,” and added, “It was all worth it. When I look back it was worth all the nerves and anxiety because we got something good at the end of it.” The victims’ bravery in coming forward and their resilience in the face of betrayal have been widely acknowledged, and their case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of accountability and justice in cases of invasion of privacy and abuse.