A man accused of making death threats against Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald in a video published on social media has been refused bail.
Richard McGreevy (28), from Whitechurch Place, Rathfarnham, Dublin, was charged on Friday under Section 5 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.
The charge states that on July 13th, without lawful excuse, Mr McGreevy made a death threat to Ms McDonald which led her to believe it would be carried out or cause her serious harm. There was a second and unrelated charge of failing to appear at Dublin District Court in accordance with previous bail conditions.
Det Sgt Gareth Kane told the court the threats were broadcast on TikTok against Ms McDonald and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. He said the statements could be seen as intimidation. Mr McGreevy made the threats while wearing a balaclava on a TikTok video which was widely circulated before being taken down.
Podcast: Terry Prone on allowing son Anton Savage to be in her publicity as a child: ‘I think it was the wrong thing to do’
Man who drowned off Galway coast named as singer-songwriter Johnny Duhan
Woman who alleges she was raped by Conor McGregor had ‘severe’ post-traumatic stress disorder, psychiatrist tells court
Owen Doyle: Ireland must ensure Scott Barrett’s claim about Joe McCarthy is not swept under the carpet
The accused told Judge Paula Murphy he was angry on the day he made the video. “I put that video up and I didn’t mean for it to go so viral,” he said.
Mr McGreevy said he lived on his own with his two dogs. His solicitor Kevin Tunney said it may take some time for the case to go the Circuit Criminal Court. He is currently living in State-provided accommodation and risked losing this if he was in custody for a long time.
Mr Tunney also said his client’s dogs would be kept in a pound for a long time.
The solicitor said Mr McGreevy was a young man who had a “very difficult childhood”.
He said Mr McGreevy’s father died when his client was a baby and his mother abandoned him when he was three, which led to a “chaotic” upbringing.
Mr Tunney said Mr McGreevy was a loner rather than a part of a gang as he appealed for his client to be released on bail with strict conditions.
However, the application was turned down by Judge Murphy, who said Mr McGreevy had a poor record of attending court. She remanded Mr McGreevy in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on July 26th.
- Sign up for push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
- Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date
- Listen to our Inside Politics podcast for the best political chat and analysis
