Irish MEP Kathleen Funchion has spoken publicly for the first time about the years of coercive control and harassment she endured at the hands of her former partner, Sean Tyrell, following his conviction and sentencing under Ireland’s Coco’s Law. Tyrell, a former county councillor, was jailed for four months with a further four-month term suspended for two years after pleading guilty to a sustained campaign of psychological abuse and threats.
The case, which included threats, reputational smears, and even demands for Ms Funchion to take a lie detector test to prove her fidelity, is being viewed as a landmark moment in raising awareness around coercive control in Ireland. Ms Funchion hopes her decision to go public will help other victims find the courage to seek help.
A Pattern of Control
The Irish Independent reports that Tyrell and Ms Funchion met in 2016 during her successful Dáil campaign, where Tyrell served as a volunteer. They later entered a romantic relationship and got engaged in 2017. Over the years, the relationship devolved into a subtle and escalating form of coercive control, with Tyrell demanding access to her phone, reading private messages, and persistently accusing her of infidelity.
In 2022, even after their separation, Tyrell escalated his behaviour by contacting a journalist with false allegations of domestic violence and financial misconduct. He sent screengrabs of this correspondence to Ms Funchion and threatened to release her name publicly unless she met a series of demands—including taking a lie detector test to prove her fidelity and arranging a meeting with Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald.
Legal Action and Sentencing
Tyrell was convicted under Section 4 of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020, more widely known as Coco’s Law. It’s called Coco’s Law in memory of Nicole “Coco” Fox Fenlon, a young woman from Ireland who tragically died by suicide in 2018 after being subjected to relentless online harassment and bullying.
The court heard how Tyrell’s actions caused serious emotional harm and distress. In handing down the sentence, Judge Cephas Power noted that Tyrell’s actions were deliberate and intended to cause distress.
In her victim impact statement, Ms Funchion explained how the abuse had left lasting effects on her ability to trust others, resulting in isolation and emotional strain. She described her life now as deeply affected by the psychological damage inflicted during the relationship.
Support and Speaking Out
Ms Funchion credited the Amber Women’s Refuge and the Protective Services Unit of the Gardaí for their vital role in supporting her recovery and pursuit of justice. She noted that they were professional, kind, and made her feel believed and safe during a time when she was doubting her own reality.
She advised those supporting victims of coercive control to be patient and non-judgmental, highlighting how difficult it can be to recognise and escape such situations. Rather than pressuring victims to leave, she emphasised the importance of simply listening and being there for them.
Ms Funchion also highlighted the fact that coercive control doesn’t always look like traditional abuse and can include emotional, financial, and digital manipulation.
A Call for Awareness
The case has sparked renewed discussion around coercive control in Ireland, where prosecution of non-physical abuse is still developing. Ms Funchion said she struggled with whether to speak out, but ultimately felt it was important to do so in order to help others recognise the signs and seek help.
One quote she shared captures the manipulation clearly: “No matter what I said, he was adamant that I was being unfaithful… I think that shows how it really gets into your head and you really do doubt yourself” [via Irish Examiner].
Reflecting on her experience, she added: “I do feel very strongly about that and I do feel that I was listened to.”
Her message to others enduring coercive control is clear: you are not alone, and what’s happening to you is not your fault. Help is out there, and healing is possible.
Featured image: Kathleen Funchion speaks out on coercive control. Source: Sinn Fein / Flickr.
