Man to face trial over alleged threat to wife of TD
A trial date has been set for a man accused of threatening to "slit" People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy's wife's throat.
Dublin District Court has sought fitness-to-plead reports on the accused, and today, Judge John Hughes reserved 19 June for the non-jury hearing, but the case will also be listed for mention later this month.
The incident allegedly occurred after the politician canvassed about abortion laws in Tallaght on 23 May 2023.
Joseph Cloherty, 42, of no fixed address, faces a charge under Section 5 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.
Mr Cloherty, who had indicated that he would contest the charge, is accused of having, without a lawful excuse, made a threat to Paul Murphy, intending him to believe it would be carried out that he would kill or cause serious harm to Jessica Spear.
Earlier, the court heard that Mr Cloherty had been hospitalised involuntarily, no longer had legal representation, and "wants to represent himself". The court had ordered psychiatric reports.
In January, the court had heard that the Dublin South West TD was in Tallaght and was allegedly threatened to his face that his wife, Jessica Spear, would be seriously harmed.
Ms Spear is a People Before Profit councillor for Tallaght Central.
The Director of Public Prosecutions directed summary disposal of the case at the District Court level.
Outlining the evidence, Garda Elaine Markham had said that Paul Murphy had set up a stall at Belgard Square. The TD was there giving out leaflets about a pro-abortion bill. It was alleged that the accused "walked up to Paul Murphy and threatened to slit his wife's throat".
Gardaí took statements from her and the TD.
"That's a lie," Mr Cloherty had told the court after it heard a summary of the evidence.
Jurisdiction was accepted for the case to be heard in the District Court and not in the Circuit Court, which has broader sentencing powers.
Mr Cloherty disputed the evidence, telling the judge, "They were talking about killing babies."
On conviction, the threat charge can carry a fine, a 12-month sentence in the District Court or imprisonment for up to 10 years if dealt with in the Circuit Court.
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