A man has appeared in court in Galway, charged with distributing or publishing threatening or grossly offensive communications about the Government Chief whip and a Fine Gael Senator.
Daragh O'Flaherty, 47, is accused of committing four offences, contrary to Section 4 of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and related offences Act 2020.
The alleged offences involve communications about Hildegarde Naughton and Fine Gael Senator Sean Kyne.
It is alleged that on 9 and 10 January 2024, Mr O'Flaherty did distribute or publish a threatening or grossly offensive communication about Ms Naughton, with intent to cause harm.
It is also alleged that on the same dates, Mr O'Flaherty did distribute or publish a threatening or grossly offensive communication about Mr Kyne, with intent to cause harm.
Mr O'Flaherty, with an address at New Estate, Clarinbridge, Co Galway, was previously charged with an offence of threatening to kill or cause serious harm to Ms Naughton, at an unknown location in Galway on 10 January.
At Galway District Court, Detective Garda John Kerrigan said the State was withdrawing that charge and it was struck out by Judge Mary Fahy.
The Director of Public Prosecutions has directed summary disposal of the four new charges in the District Court.
Det Kerrigan gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of Mr O'Flaherty.
He told the court the accused made a lengthy reply to the charges after caution.
Det Kerrigan handed in a written copy of the reply, which was not read out in court.
Judge Fahy said the issue of jurisdiction could only be considered after she heard a summary of what the State alleges against the accused.
Det Kerrigan said it will be alleged that on 9 January, Mr O'Flaherty used the messaging platform, Telegram, to state that if he encountered Ms Naughton and Mr Kyne, they would need an "ambulance, a fire brigade and the police".
It is further alleged that on 10 January, Mr O'Flaherty stated both politicians "would need six stitches if he encountered them".
Judge Fahy accepted jurisdiction to hear the case in the district court.
She also made an order directing that all statements in the case be provided to defence solicitor John Martin and granted an application for legal aid.
Det Kerrigan said there was no objection to bail, subject to conditions previously set down. The court heard Mr O'Flaherty must be of good behaviour and refrain from posting threatening content online.
He was also ordered to reside at his current address and report once a week to a garda station.
As part of his bail conditions, Mr O'Flaherty must have no contact with the complainants or any potential witnesses and must stay away from the homes and constituency offices of Ms Naughton and Mr Kyne.
Mr O'Flaherty was remanded on bail to appear again later this month.
He is due to indicate his attitude to the charges on that date.
