Latest news with #Harassment
Dublin Live
a day ago
- Dublin Live
Man charged over TikTok threats to 'slice Irish babies' appears in court
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A man charged with offences relating to online threats on social media appeared before a special sitting of Portlaoise District Court on Thursday. 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 arrested the accused in Laois on Wednesday under Section 5 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. He was conveyed to Abbeyleix Garda Station. RTE reported that Gardai are awaiting directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions and further charges may be applied. Mr Petre's defence counsel 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 June 5 by video link. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Sunday World
a day ago
- Sunday World
Man charged over ‘grossly offensive' TikTok video about ‘slicing up' Irish babies
Beniamin Petre, of no fixed abode, appeared before Judge Andrew Cody at Portlaoise District Court A man has been charged with an offence relating to 'hatred towards the Irish people' after he allegedly posted a social media message about 'slicing up' Irish babies. Beniamin Petre, of no fixed abode, appeared before Judge Andrew Cody at Portlaoise District Court on Thursday morning, May 29, charged with two offences. Stock photo News in 90 Seconds - May 29th Garda Mark Russell charged Mr Petre with an offence, that on a date around May 24, 2025, at an unknown location in the Dublin area, he published 'grossly offensive communication' on the TikTok social media site about 'slicing up Irish babies, kids and you' with intent to cause harm. The charge relates to Section 4 (1) and (3) of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020. Mr Petre was also charged with an offence, that on May 24, in an unknown place in the Dublin area, he engaged in threatening, abusive and insulting words or behaviour, with intent to breach the peace, demonstrating at the time of the offence 'hatred towards the people of Ireland'. The charge relates to the Criminal Justice Act. Judge Andrew Cody remanded Mr Petre in custody to appear again via video link at Portlaoise District Court on June 5 next.
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Man charged over TikTok threats to 'slice Irish babies'
A man charged with offences relating to online threats on social media appeared before a special sitting of Portlaoise District Court on Thursday. 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 arrested the accused in Laois on Wednesday under Section 5 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. He was conveyed to Abbeyleix Garda Station. RTE reported that Gardai are awaiting directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions and further charges may be applied. Mr Petre's defence counsel 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 June 5 by video link.
RTÉ News
a day ago
- RTÉ News
Man charged over online threats on social media pages
A 50-year-old man has appeared before a special sitting of Portlaoise District Court charged with offences relating to online threats shared on his social media page. 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.
The Journal
2 days ago
- The Journal
Public urged not to share images after four people fall victim to 'sextortion' last weekend
THE PSNI HAS issued a major warning after four people were targeted by online sexual blackmail in one day last weekend. Commonly known as 'sextortion', the blackmail involved threats made by an anonymous individual online to share a person's sexual images, clips or information. The nature of the sextortion can be predatory where the victim is coerced into sending more intimate pictures under the threat of sharing existing ones, or financial where the perpetrator threatens to share the images of the victim unless a ransom is paid. The PSNI says it received 70 reports of sextortion per month at its peak two years ago before falling to an average of 45 between last year and now. The warning comes after the force said it received four reports last Saturday, 24 May, alone from four men in the Belfast area who claimed to have been targeted. Advertisement Detective Inspector Karen Hamill explained how to identify the hallmarks of a sextortion attempt: 'Typically, a person uses a false identity to befriend a victim via social media. 'The exchange may start with flirting or flattery, but ends with the victim coaxed into sending intimate images or performing sexual acts online, unwittingly in front of a camera. 'Behind the fake and attractive guise, there's a criminal. These people are often part of sophisticated and organised crime groups, mostly based overseas. They extort their victims by threatening to share those images or recordings unless demands for money are met.' Detective Inspector Hamill said that the majority of victims are young men, aged between 18 and 23. She urges people to be on their guard and to always be aware of sharing intimate images online. She offered this advice: 'Don't panic; don't respond to demands; and don't enter into further communication. If you can, confide in a trusted friend or family member, and please contact officers immediately on 101.' In the South, sextortion is illegal under the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act, also known as 'Coco's Law', which came into effect in 2021. To date, An Garda Síochána has commenced 72 prosecutions related to 49 investigations under Coco's Law, with 82% of victims being male. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
