Man Jailed Four Months for Threatening Irish TDs

Daragh O'Flaherty, 49, has been sentenced to four months in prison after being found guilty of making threats against two Fine Gael TDs in January 2024. The court heard that O'Flaherty denied the charges, which involved distributing threatening communications with intent to cause harm.

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frightened

Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton testified that she felt "frightened" for her personal safety and had to change her movements due to the online threats. Seán Kyne, then a councillor and now a TD, recounted seeing a video on X (formerly Twitter) that he interpreted as a threat, suggesting he would require "six stitches after an attack or an assault." He also expressed concern for his family and staff.

The court was shown a video where O'Flaherty stated that if he faced consequences, then named Galway politicians, including Naughton and Kyne, would also face them. Another video from January 9, 2024, showed O'Flaherty announcing his arrival in Galway and warning that politicians would "need the police, you're going to need the ambulance and you are probably going to need the fire brigade."

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I took it as a threat and that I would need six stitches after an attack or an assault

Representing himself, O'Flaherty raised claims about increased prisoner mortality in Ireland post-COVID-19 vaccine rollout, stating he needed documents from within the prison system to appeal his case. He felt compelled to go to prison to speak with inmates he believed were denied "vindication of their bodily integrity" due to a "forced vaccination programme."

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if it was six stitches for him, then it is six stitches for a number of named Galway politicians, including Ms Naughton and Mr Kyne

Judge Patricia Cronin imposed concurrent four-month sentences on each charge, deeming the punishment "appropriate and proportionate" given the seriousness of the threats, despite the absence of victim impact statements.

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you're going to need the police, you're going to need the ambulance and you are probably going to need the fire brigade