Judge under Garda watch after ‘hand grenade day’ threat online

A JUDGE heard all her cases under Garda surveillance yesterday after what was taken as a threat against her was posted on Facebook.

Judge Jacqueline Linnane was put on notice of the threat just before she was due to sit in the Circuit Civil Court at 10am.

The post, in which Thursday was described as “hand grenade day”, was taken seriously by members of the Courts Service who called for a Garda pres- ence in Court 22 before Judge Linnane went on the bench.

The post appeared on The Hub – Ireland Facebook site in the early hours of yesterday.

It stated: “Tomorrow is hand grenade day: I am so fed up with the Dublin Circuit Court judge, one Ms Linnane, disrespecting The Hub Ireland, any litigants in person what adhere themselves to us. Ms Linnane will be put on notice by hand, my hand.

“Hopefully she takes un-bridge (sic) at my letter and sues me: I want the public arena, so hopefully her psychopathic nature kicks in: once the letter is delivered I will post it on The Hub Ireland.”

Judge Linnane postponed her sitting until 10.21am, a minute after a garda took up duty among members of the public in the court.

“It is a most serious threat to a member of the judiciary and we cannot take any chances,” a spokesperson for the Courts Service said. It is expected a Garda presence in her court will also be arranged for today.