Latest news with #HarmfulCommunicationsandRelatedOffencesAct2020
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.
Irish Daily Mirror
15-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Man faces sentence for 'grossly' offensive messages about female ex-garda leader
A Midlands man is to be sentenced in July for publishing 'grossly' offensive or threatening messages about a former prominent Garda representative group leader. Antoinette Cunningham, was general secretary of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) when the offences happened over a two-week period in 2023. Following an investigation, Andrew McGovern, 38, of School Lane, Rathowen, Co Westmeath, was summonsed to face criminal proceedings at Mullingar District Court. He pleaded guilty in November to a charge under section 4 of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020. Court documents state the offence occurred in the Mullingar area, March 16 to 30, 2023, and that he 'did distribute or publish a threatening or grossly offensive communication about Antoinette Cunningham with intent to cause harm.' The charge carries a possible six-month sentence at the District Court level. In November, the court directed the preparation of a victim impact statement to be furnished on March 6. However, on that date, McGovern failed to show up in court, resulting in a bench warrant to have him arrested. He was found and granted bail again on March 13 with an order to appear again on Thursday. The accused briefly sat close to retired Garda Inspector, Ms Cunningham, before moving to the opposite side of the courtroom. When his case was called, court Garda Sergeant Orla Keenan summarised the proceedings so far and added that a victim impact statement had been handed into court in March. The sergeant added that the injured party was present for the proceedings, but Ms Cunningham was not required to testify. Judge Owens said she had not yet read the impact statement and noted an application for an adjournment for the Probation Service to draft a pre-sentence report. Judge Owens recalled that when McGovern pleaded guilty on November 14, the report was directed at that stage, but the accused did not turn up on the subsequent date when the bench warrant was issued. His failure to attend the hearing in March also led to the Probation Service not being notified that the report was needed today. McGovern, dressed in black trousers, a pink shirt and a maroon blazer, stood forward when the case was called but did not address the court. Asked if she wished to hear full facts and the victim impact statement today, Judge Owens said she appreciated the attendance of the injured party. However, she asserted that it would have 'more impact' if she heard from her and the evidence on the next date, when the probation report will also be ready. Sentencing was set for July 17; Judge Owens remanded McGovern on continuing bail. Legal aid was granted earlier. Last year, Ms Cunningham, from Limerick, announced she was to retire after 33 years with An Garda Síochána and the AGSI. She made Irish policing history in 2018 when she was made the first full-time female official in a garda representative organisation. She was also the first woman to serve at every executive level of the association.
