Man is charged with threats to politicians
A MAN has appeared in court charged with threatening the Government Chief Whip and a Fine Gael senator.
Daragh O’Flaherty, 47, is accused of committing four offences, contrary to Section 4 of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act.
The alleged offences involve communications about Chief Whip Hildegarde Naughton and her Fine Gael colleague Senator Seán Kyne.
Detective Garda John Kerrigan told Galway District Court it will be alleged that on January 9, Mr O’Flaherty used the messaging platform Telegram to state that if he encountered Deputy Naughton and Senator Kyne, they would need an ‘ambulance, a fire brigade and the police’.
Det Gda Kerrigan also said it is further alleged that on January 10, Mr O’Flaherty stated that both politicians ‘would need six stitches if he encountered them’.
Mr O’Flaherty, of 28 New Estate, Clarinbridge, Co. Galway, was previously charged with an offence of threatening to kill or cause serious harm to Deputy Naughton at an unknown location in Galway on January 10.
Det Gda Kerrigan said the State was withdrawing that charge and it was struck out by Judge Mary Fahy.
The Director of Public Prosecutions has directed summary disposal of the four new charges in the District Court. It is alleged that on January 9 and 10, 2024, Mr O’Flaherty did distribute or publish a threatening or grossly offensive communication about Ms Naughton, with intent to cause harm.
It is also alleged that on January 9 and 10, Mr O’Flaherty did distribute or publish a threatening or grossly offensive communication about Mr Kyne, with intent to cause harm. Det Gda Kerrigan gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of Mr O’Flaherty. He told the court the accused made a lengthy reply to the charges after caution. Det Gda Kerrigan handed in a written copy of the reply, which was not read out in court. Judge Fahy said the issue of jurisdiction could only be considered after she heard a summary of what the State alleges against the accused. Judge Fahy asked if anything further was alleged against the accused. Defence solicitor John Martin said: ‘No, that appears to be the totality.’ Judge Fahy accepted jurisdiction to hear the case in the District Court. She also made an order directing that all statements in the case be provided to Mr Martin.
The judge also granted an application for legal aid.
Det Gda Kerrigan said there was no objection to bail subject to conditions previously set down by the High Court.
The court heard Mr
No objection to bail
O’Flaherty must be of good behaviour and refrain from posting threatening content online. He was also ordered to reside at his current address and report once a week to a Garda station.
He must have no contact with the complainants or any potential witnesses and must stay away from the homes and constituency offices of Deputy Naughton and Senator Kyne. Mr O’Flaherty was remanded on bail to appear again on March 13.