Man gets suspended sentence for threat to kill Irish Prime Minister

A man who admitted to threatening to kill Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin has been given a suspended prison sentence. Cory O'Connor, 32, pleaded guilty to the threat, which was sent via social media to the Taoiseach's Facebook account on October 22, 2025.

“

With the benefit of hindsight and a clear mind, I see that I was hiding behind a screen acting like a keyboard warrior without a second thought for real world impact.

The court heard that the message also included threats against Tánaiste Simon Harris and his family. O'Connor's message read: "I hope I will see you soon because I will put a 'f****** knife in your neck along with that f****** p**** Harris and along with his wife and children." He also invited Mr. Martin to "find me you p****."

O'Connor described his actions as being "like a keyboard warrior without a second thought for real world impact." In a letter of apology read to Athlone District Court, he expressed remorse, stating he "completely lost sight of how receiving a message like that would make someone feel."

“

I completely lost sight of how receiving a message like that would make someone feel whether that was scared, angry, confused or all of the above.

Defence solicitor Mark Cooney highlighted that O'Connor, a father of three, had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, made admissions, and was remorseful. He noted that O'Connor had suffered greatly from the publicity and had lost his job, becoming "somewhat of a pariah."

“

He is somewhat of a pariah, as a result of the attention it received.

Judge Vincent Deane acknowledged O'Connor's remorse and insight but stressed the frightening nature of such threats, particularly for public figures. He warned that such actions could deter people from entering public life. O'Connor received a six-month sentence, suspended for two years, and is prohibited from using social media during that period.

“

When you are a public figure and you do not know the person you are receiving them from, it's particularly frightening.