Woman (55) sent Mass card to neighbour threatening his life

A 55-year-old woman who sent a Mass card to man on which was written a threat to his life, has received the benefit of the probation act at Dundalk court.

Helena Kenna, 85 Farndreg Estate, had previously pleaded guilty to a charge of sending by post at Castletown Post Office on 23 March, 2018, a packet which enclosed an article/thing which was menacing.

Evidence was given the card included the victim’s name followed by the words, ‘You are dead. We will be back’.

Judge McKiernan remarked this was a serious matter which had a serious impact on the people involved.

However, the judge added she had to bear in mind the mitigating circumstances.

The court heard that the DPP had directed summary disposal of the matter, and evidence was given that on 26 March, 2018, gardaí received a report from a man who said he had received a yellow envelope in the post which contained a Mass card.

Investigators went to An Post, and discovered there was no way of tracing the envelope, so they sought information on the numbers printed on the stamp.

Meanwhile, the victim’s mother suspected a neighbour, Helena Kenna, and made a statement to that effect.

CCTV footage from Castletown Post Office was obtained. It showed the defendant holding a yellow envelope which she appeared to post.

There are no previous convictions. Solicitor Aimee McCumiskey handed into court a report prepared on behalf of her client, a married mother of two children, who was present.

She has been insolating having been considered a vulnerable person due to ill health, the solicitor explained.

The defendant had been undergoing bereavement counselling before the pandemic.

She regretted her actions which arose from a misplaced belief she was protecting a friend. She knows what she did was wrong. A Victim Impact Statement was also on the record.

Judge McKiernan said what happened was very upsetting for the people involved.

She had to bear in mind the contents of a medical report, Helena Kenna’s age and that she has no previous convictions.

‘It’s very clear she regrets her actions which were wrong.’

The judge added it was a very frightening experience for the other party before applying the probation act.