Man held after web threat to kill children sparks school lockdown
The man, arrested yesterday afternoon, had made graphic threats to Irish children, saying he was going to target them because Irish people had 'p*ssed me off'. Pic: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin
The video, which was circulated online earlier this week, showed a man lying on a bed addressing the camera.
He said: 'Irish, I'm coming on top of you now. I'm gonna be slicing your babies, kids and you, good for everybody. Get ready, because you p*ssed me off.' Pic: Karl M Photography/Shutterstock
The video had been flagged multiple times on several social media websites but had not been removed.
A search conducted yesterday evening revealed that the video was still easily accessible online.
Scoil Mhuire, on the Ballyroan Road in Abbeyleix, Co. Laois, closed its doors as a precaution yesterday morning when it emerged that the man may be in the area.
An official Garda spokesman said officers investigating 'alleged threats shared online have arrested one male in Abbeyleix', adding that the man was 'detained at a Garda station in the Eastern Region'.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Garda chief to meet media regulator over disinformation following Dublin City attack
A senior garda boss who strongly criticised online disinformation about the man who attacked gardaí in Dublin on Tuesday is to meet the media regulator to urge greater responsibility from social media companies. The assistant commissioner for the Dublin metropolitan region, Paul Cleary, said that people 'with their own agenda' spread disinformation about the incident in order to 'inflame situations'. Footage of part of the attack and the aftermath was uploaded onto social media, which commentary from various accounts stating the perpetrator was an immigrant or a foreigner. One post from Conor McGregor said: 'A member of An Garda Síochána stabbed this evening, on duty, by one of the Irish Government's new to the parish imports through its human trafficking racket.' The post was viewed 300,000 times and liked by over 3,000 accounts. On Wednesday morning, Mr Cleary said he was very concerned about social media posts and said gardaí had to be on the lookout for any follow-on violence or harassment. 'Unfortunately, we see it every day and we have some people with their own agenda trying to use incidents like this to inflame situations for their own ends,' he told RTÉ Radio's Morning Ireland. He urged people to get their information from credible sources. Very inaccurate misinformation and disinformation went out online after this incident very quickly 'So it is concerning, and we would ask people to make sure that the source of their information is credible.' Irish citizen The Irish Examiner understands that Mr Cleary has sought, and secured, a meeting with Comisiún na Meán, the media regulator, in relation to the incident and to push for social media companies to do more on disinformation and the dangers than can bring. It emerged on Tuesday night that the suspect was born in Ireland and is an Irish citizen. He comes from a Pakistani background, with an address in Portlaoise, but is also thought to have an address in Dublin. The 23-year-old is not thought to have come to the attention of gardaí before this incident. The injured garda, a young probationary, was brought to hospital, but he was due to be discharged. Sources said the injuries could have been worse and that his anti-stab vest might have saved him. The officers, based at Bridewell Garda Station, subdued the man with pepper spray and batons. Due to the factors in the case, the Garda National Crime and Security Intelligence Service has been brought in to support investigators in establishing a motive for the attack. It is analysing evidence from digital devices and social media posts and information from family, friends, religious contacts, and associates. Garda Representative Association vice president Niall Hodgins, who is also a representative for the Dublin North Central garda region, said: 'I wish to extend our heartfelt wishes to our injured friend and colleague, and wish him a speedy recovery. "This young probationary member was subject to a quite terrifying and unprovoked attack, and only for his bravery and that of his colleagues this incident could have resulted in far worse and unthinkable consequences."
Irish Times
5 hours ago
- Irish Times
Capel Street attack: Gardaí study CCTV to determine how suspect obtained weapon
Detectives investigating a stabbing attack on a garda on Capel Street are studying CCTV footage in a bid to determine how the suspect armed himself with a large knife. The man in his 20s has no known criminal background of note and the motive for the attack remains unclear. The injured garda, who was a probationer gaining frontline policing experience, is expected to make a full recovery, though sources said he had sustained a number of knife injuries and had endured a serious ordeal. The suspect was arrested at the scene of the attack, in the north inner city at about 6pm, after being overpowered by uniform members of the force. Investigating gardaí must charge him with a crime, or release him without charge, by Thursday morning. READ MORE He is in his early 20s and spent most of his life living in the Midlands. In more recent years has lived at an address close to the Dublin-Meath county boundary. Gardaí have dismissed claims on social media, from far right agitators, that the suspect was an international protection applicant, or asylum seeker. The injured garda, who was conducting a routine high-visibility patrol with colleagues when they were attacked, suffered a stab wound to his upper arm. Gardaí believed he would have been much more seriously injured but for his stab-proof vest. The incident occurred when two gardaí responded to reports of a man armed with a large blade, believed to be a kitchen knife. The suspect was overpowered at the scene by uniformed gardaí, after he lashed out at them with the knife. The man was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act. That allowed for him to be questioned for up to 24 hours without charge. However, the suspect, an Irish national, availed of his right to sleep overnight at the Dublin Garda station where he was being questioned. That extended his period of detention, as his maximum 24 hours of interview time was suspended for eight hours overnight. A decision on whether to charge or release him was imminent on Wednesday night, following several interview sessions during the day. In the immediate aftermath of the attack, Garda headquarters stressed there was no ongoing threat to the public as the suspect for the attack had been arrested. Welfare services were also put in place by the Garda authorities for the injured garda and his colleagues. Assistant Commissioner Paul Cleary, who is in charge of policing for the Dublin Metropolitan Region, said disinformation had been spread online about the attack, and the suspect. He urged people to get their information from credible sources and not to amplify false claims. 'Very inaccurate misinformation and disinformation went out online after this incident very quickly. So it is concerning,' he told RTÉ Radio 1. He added disinformation was being published and spread on a daily basis by 'people with their own agenda trying to use incidents like this to inflame situations for their own ends.' Mr Cleary commended both members of the force involved in the incident for their courage and professionalism 'in the face of such an unprovoked attack'. A senior investigating officer had been appointed and that assaults on members of the force would never be accepted or tolerated.
RTÉ News
6 hours ago
- RTÉ News
178,000 products withdrawn, recalled or prevented from reaching market in 2024
Over 178,000 unsafe products were recalled, withdrawn or prevented from reaching the Irish market last year by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. The actions were taken following consumer complaints, referrals from European networks, proactive investigations and work with Revenue Customs. The recalls included almost 10,000 babies sleepsuits and over 2,400 toy construction trucks. The CCPC's annual report for 2024 also showed that it carried out more than 200 consumer protection inspections last year. As a result of the enforcement and legal actions, it issued 47 fixed penalty notices and 23 compliance notices. The report said successful prosecutions were brought against five retailers, including Tesco Ireland. The CCPC said the retailer pleaded guilty to two sample counts of failing to comply with the law in how they displayed the price of products offered on promotion to clubcard holders. The consumer watchdog also undertook five successful prosecutions for breaches of consumer protection law, including action against misleading pricing practices. And it opened an investigation into Ticketmaster Ireland and its handling of the sale of Oasis tickets last August, following almost 100 complaints over dynamic pricing. The commission also carried out dawn raids on two premises as part of an ongoing cartel-related investigation in the home alarm industry. It also assisted the Italian Competition Authority, the Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato, in an unannounced search of Ryanair's headquarters in Dublin as part of an ongoing Italian competition law investigation. The CCPC said its "successful intervention to prevent a potential monopoly in car parking at Dublin Airport" was among its highlights in 2024. The consumer watchdog said it blocked the daa's attempted purchase of the former Quickpark site due to findings that it would lead to "higher prices, less choice and lower service quality for consumers." As a result, it said it facilitated the entry of a new competitor to the car park market at Dublin Airport. There was a 21% increase in merger notifications, with 71% of determinations last year made within 13.3 days under a simplified process. 2024 marked a significant milestone for the CCPC, which celebrated its 10th anniversary, marking what it described as "a decade of work promoting competition and enhancing consumer welfare." The Chairperson of the CCPC, Brian McHugh, said the annual report highlights the "vital role the CCPC plays across all sectors of the economy, from enforcing consumer law on retail pricing, to advocating proactively for reforming the legal sector to better serve the interests of Irish businesses and consumers." "Open, fair markets are the backbone of our economy's success, ensuring that whether consumers are making small everyday purchases or major financial decisions, their interests are protected," he added. "Following a year of notable achievements and a decade of progress, our focus remains on delivering transparent outcomes, empowering consumers with knowledge of their rights, and being a leading voice for competition and consumer welfare across Ireland." The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, said the CCPC "continues to deliver for Irish consumers and businesses by ensuring our markets remain competitive, transparent, and safe." "Their work in 2024, from blocking anti-competitive mergers to removing dangerous products and empowering consumers through education, demonstrates the importance of strong, independent enforcement." Minister Burke said he will continue his close collaboration with the CCPC to ensure it has "sufficient powers and resources to effectively advocate for and enforce competition and consumer protection legislation." The commission said it responded to over 44,000 helpline contacts and received 1.8 million visits to its website throughout last year.
