Man charged over online threats on social media pages
Beniamin Petre, of no fixed abode, was charged under the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020 and under the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024.
Detective Garda Mark Russell said he arrested Mr Petre yesterday at Rathmiles, Abbeyleix, in Co Laois, under Section 5 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1977 and brought him to Abbeyleix Garda Station, where he was detained.
Detective Russell said that he was seeking directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions and that there may be further charges.
Defending solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said that her client was not seeking bail and was consenting to be remanded in custody.
Judge Andrew Cody remanded Mr Petre in custody to appear again at Portlaoise District Court on 5 June by video link.
He also marked on the detention order that the defendant receive urgent medical assessment while in custody.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Two arrested after €120,000 worth of cannabis seized in Co Wexford
Two men aged in their 20s and 30s have been arrested following the seizure of €120,000 worth of cannabis in Co Wexford. The operation led by Revenue's Customs Service, Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, and the Enniscorthy Drugs and Crime Units seized 6kg of herbal cannabis with an estimated value of €120,000. The drugs were recovered during a search of a residential property. In a follow-up search, gardaí discovered a further 1.5kg of herbal cannabis valued at €30,000, along with approximately 250 grams of suspected cocaine (subject to forensic analysis), with an estimated value of €17,500. The two men are being detained at a Garda station in the south east of the country under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996.
Irish Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Solicitor 'mystified' why gardai didn't seek copy of prisoner's post-mortem
A solicitor has told an inquest that he is "mystified" why a Garda file on the death of a prisoner in custody was submitted to the DPP without including a copy of the post-mortem. Solicitor, Michael Finucane, made his comments during a preliminary hearing of the inquest into the death of Michael 'Skin' Devlin – a father of five with an address in Edgeworthstown, Co Longford on February 21, 2024. Mr Devlin was found unresponsive in his cell at Cloverhill Prison in Clondalkin, Dublin less than two months after his recapture following a period where he had been on the run for almost four years. The deceased was a convicted drug dealer who had been returned to prison in January 2024 after absconding from Shelton Abbey open prison in Arklow, Co Wicklow in the summer of 2020. A previous sitting of Dublin District Coroner's Court in May heard that the results of a post-mortem showed he had died from complications of a rare medical condition which can block a person's airway. General view of Cloverhill Prison in Dublin (Image: PA) The autopsy found he had died from complications of acute adult supraglottitis – a rare, potentially fatal bacterial infection which causes inflammation of parts of the larynx. At a hearing on Wednesday, Mr Finucane, who is representing the deceased's family questioned why a post-mortem had not been sought by gardaí as part of the file it was preparing for the DPP. Mr Finucane complained that there had been no contact with Mr Devlin's family about the progress of the investigation into his death despite the legal obligation to keep them informed, particularly in relation to a death in custody. However, the investigating officer, Garda Cormac Judge, told the hearing that he had contacted the family about a week ago. Detective Inspector Brian Hanley informed the coroner, Clare Keane, that a Garda file on the investigation into the prisoner's death had originally been forwarded to the DPP on May 22. However, Det Insp Hanley said the file had been resubmitted about two weeks ago after it emerged that the original file had been mislaid. Dr Keane confirmed that the DPP had asked her office for a copy of the post-mortem and she said it would be provided. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week In reply to a question from Mr Finucane, Det Insp Hanley said he was not aware if gardaí had sought a copy of the post-mortem as it was not his case. Following a brief adjournment, the coroner confirmed that gardaí had sought a copy of the post-mortem on August 8. There were tetchy exchanges between the coroner and Mr Finucane after the solicitor's attempts to put questions to Garda Judge were refused. Mr Finucane said Garda Judge was the best witness to provide accurate information about the course of the investigation into Mr Devlin's death. He said he wanted to find out why gardaí had not sought a post-mortem before August 8 and to ask if Garda Judge had delivered the file to the DPP given it had gone missing. Mr Finucane said he could not understand why he was not being allowed to question the garda. The solicitor also asked the coroner if her office had any liaison with the Inspector of Prisons. 'The questions are about the expeditious nature of the investigation or lack thereof,' remarked Mr Finucane. Following another short adjournment, Dr Keane said the solicitor's questions were reasonable and she understood they needed to be answered. The coroner said she would deal with the queries via correspondence, while adding that there was nothing to stop Mr Finucane dealing directly with An Garda Síochána. She granted an application by Det Insp Hanley for a three-month adjournment of the case and listed it for further mention on November 13. Mr Devlin, who came originally from Drogheda Co Louth, was in the closing months of a 10-year prison sentence at the time of his death, although he was due to face further charges over his absconding from Shelton Abbey. The deceased was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment with the final two years suspended at Dundalk Circuit Criminal Court in October 2014. Mr Devlin, who had 11 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply at Cartown, Termonfeckin, Co Louth on September 20, 2013. He claimed the offence was related to his efforts to clear a drug debt of €10,000 which he incurred after a quantity of heroin he was minding had gone missing. The court heard Mr Devlin had a long history of drug abuse and developed a heroin addiction in 2009. The deceased's father was also convicted on a similar charge in relation to the discovery of almost 65kg of cannabis worth €1.3 million. Mr Devlin Snr was given a 12-year prison sentence with the final four years suspended. The father and son subsequently lost a joint appeal that their sentences were unduly severe at the Court of Appeal in February 2016. Sign up to the Irish Mirror's Courts and Crime newsletter here and get breaking crime updates and news from the courts direct to your inbox.
The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Gardai launch investigation after ‘quantity of cigarettes' stolen from Galway service station in late night robbery
Gardai have confirmed that 'enquiries are ongoing at this time' BURGLARY PROBE Gardai launch investigation after 'quantity of cigarettes' stolen from Galway service station in late night robbery AN INVESTIGATION has been launched into a burglary at a business premises in Co Galway in the early hours of this morning. The incident took place at service station on Dublin Road, Athenry, Co Galway on Wednesday, August 13. Gardai attended the scene following reports of a burglary at approximately 2am. It is understood that a quantity of cigarettes has been taken. A garda spokesperson said: "Gardai attended the scene following report of a burglary at a service station on Dublin Road, Athenry, Co. Galway, that occurred on Wednesday 13th August 2025 at approximately 2.00am. "The scene was preserved for technical examination. "A quantity of cigarettes are believed to have been taken." Cops are also investigating another burglary at a business premises on Dublin Road, which also took place in the early hours of this morning. Gardai have confirmed that "enquiries are ongoing at this time." They added: "Gardai are investigating the burglary of a business premises on the Dublin Road, Athenry, in the early hours of this morning, Wednesday 13th August 2025. "Enquiries are ongoing at this time.' Separately, an unarmed gardai foiled a suspected robbery as they arrested a criminal who had a knife and imitation gun. Gardai release video showing secret smuggling compartment in lorry caught with €10.6m of cocaine The Irish Sun has learned that the thug, who is known for violence towards officers, was spotted acting suspiciously on Dublin's Talbot Street yesterday evening. The man had entered an off-licence but was confronted by a garda and threw aside a knife and the replica gun. He was held by the officer at the scene before back up arrived and he was arrested. It's also understood he was found with a small amount of drugs in his possession. A source said: "It appears that this man was about to commit a robbery. The gardai acted swiftly and the man was arrested. "He is well-known to gardai in the north inner city, and has threatened members with violence in the past." The suspect, a Dubliner aged in his 30s, has a long string of convictions for theft and breach of the peace as well as other offences. The man has also served multiple jail terms for offences. He is being held in garda custody where he can be questioned for 24 hours, excluding break times for sleep and food. Investigators will continue to liaise with the Director of Public Prosecutions, who will decide if he will be released or charged.
