Bachelor festival contestant who harassed Rose of Tralee contestant has been dropped by modeling agency

A spokesman for modeling agency Assets confirmed on Thursday that Kilkenny man John Coady has been struck off their books and will no longer be represented by them.

“In light of this legal action, the individual to whom your request relates will no longer be represented by Assets Modeling Agency in any capacity,” a spokesperson said Sunday world.

The development came a week after part-time undertaker Coady, whose court address was given as Ryan’s Pub, Clough, Kilkenny, pleaded guilty to molesting the young woman between May 11 and December 16 last year.

Until his court appearance last week, Coady – who was acquired by Assets as a commercial model in May this year – was best known for reaching the final six at the 2023 Westmeath Bachelor Festival.

He took to the finalists stage in front of a panel of judges including Louis Walsh, Anne Doyle, Pippa O’Connor and Brian Ormond in Mullingar.

During his performance on stage, Coady entertained the audience by playing songs from the movie Grease on a plastic guitar.

In a statement this week, festival organizers said: “The Westmeath Bachelor Competition was horrified to learn of the despicable actions of John Coady.

“While we do our best to ensure we select individuals with integrity and honesty, unfortunately John Coady has kept this matter from us.

“We strongly condemn the harassment of individuals.”

During the trial, his victim revealed that during this time, Coady, 32, followed her to venues he was not invited to or showed up to events she was attending and where he was not expected, a two-hour drive away were from where he lived.

“Because of his relentless pursuit of me,” she wrote, “I suffered from sleepless nights, nightmares, and often looking over my shoulder. It had a bad mental effect on me.”

Coady, who brought €5,000 to Tullamore District Court as a “mark of regret”, pleaded guilty on October 11 to harassing the woman at an address in Co Offaly.

Judge Andrew Cody said the woman should be compensated or, if she so wished, money donated to charity, and adjourned sentencing to pay €5,000 until October 25.

When the matter came before him again, Coady’s lawyer Donal Farrelly said his client had brought the €5,000 as a token of his regret.

He said his client had gone to a psychotherapist to seek help with his social difficulties and he had made an account of this in court.

Mr Farrelly said his client was very fond of the young lady, but it appeared he had harassed her to the point where she was extremely upset.

He now has a new partner.

As an agricultural science graduate, he had applied for a job and also took part in the Bachelor of the Year at Mullingar.

The lawyer added that Coady’s social skills had improved significantly, he had written a letter of apology and had a number of character references.

Sgt Brendan Kearns told the court the injured party would accept compensation.

Judge Cody said he would defer sentencing for a year to ensure there were no further offences.

He said the defendant should not have any contact with the woman and stressed the seriousness of the crime.

“I’m not sure you realized how serious this was a week or two ago here,” the judge told him.

“Women and even men have the right to go out and socialize.”

He remanded Coady on bail to appear in court again on October 23 next year and made bail conditional on there being no contact with the injured party and a “good report” from the man’s psychotherapist, with whom he should continue to work together.

Coady, who is from north Kilkenny, lived with his parents on the family farm, the court was told.

His lawyer said his client had difficulty forming relationships with women and was in love with the aggrieved party, but he meant no harm.

He said he was employed as an undertaker.

Coady himself told the judge he was “introverted” and “not much of a mixer.”

“I am very sorry for my behavior.

“I thought she was beautiful. “I’m not a dangerous person,” he said.