Court appearance for First Dates star Daphney Sanasie
RTE First Dates star Daphney Sanasie who is accused of harassing celebrity chef Dylan McGrath has been given four weeks to decide how she will plead.
The 26-year-old model who has an address at Jamestown Road, in Dublin 8, is accused of harassing Dylan McGrath (39) at various locations in the State from Sept. 9 until Nov. 21 last. The charge is contrary to Section 10 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.
She has not yet entered a plea and was ordered to appear again at Dublin District Court on June 24 to allow her time to brief her lawyers.
She first appeared at a late sitting of the court on April 15 last when evidence of her arrest was given by Garda Colm Kelly of the Bridewell station.
At her previous hearing the court had heard that the DPP has directed summary disposal of the case meaning it is to stay in the district court and not go forward to the circuit court which has tougher sentencing powers.
The offence, at district court level, can result in a fine and a maximum 12-month sentence.
Gda Kelly has complied with an order to provide disclosure of the prosecution evidence.
However, Judge Cormac Dunne was told today that Ms Sanasie has recently changed legal firm.
Her barrister Gareth Robinson (instructed by Robinson O'Neill solicitors) told the court that he needed time “for disclosure and instructions to be taken”.
Dressed in a white trouser suit and black high heels, the model spoke once responding with a perky “Hi” when the judge greeted her.
The South African model was known as Federica Sanasie when she appeared on hit matchmaking TV series First Dates earlier this year.
McGrath – one of Ireland's best known chefs – was a proprietor of Mint in Ranelagh in Dublin which was awarded a coveted Michelin Star before opening the Rustic Stone Restaurant by Dylan McGrath on South Great George's Street in Dublin city-centre.
He later became a judge on the Irish version of Masterchef which went on to be a massive hit.
