Man accused of Mary Lou McDonald threats tells court he was 'so angry' and 'didn't mean to go so viral'
Richard McGreevy (28) of Whitechurch Place, Rathfarnham, appeared before Judge Paula Murphy at a sitting of Dublin District Court this morning
A man accused of threatening to kill Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald told a court he was “so angry” and “ didn’t mean for it to go so viral.”
Richard McGreevy (28) of Whitechurch Place, Rathfarnham, appeared before Judge Paula Murphy at a sitting of Dublin District Court this morning, accused of threatening Ms McDonald in a Tiktok video. Mr McGreevy is accused of making a threat to Ms McDonald intending that she believe it would be carried out to kill her or cause serious harm.
The alleged offence is contrary to Section 5 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997. He is also facing other unrelated charges, in relation to failing to give his name and address to a garda, and threatening and abusive behaviour at College Street, Dublin 2 on March 2nd this year
READ MORE: Breakthrough in fatal Dublin hit-and-run case as DNA found in vehicle and suspect known to gardai
READ MORE: Urgent alert issued over drug which caused fatal overdose in Irish prison
Mr McGreevy, dressed in blue top and grey tracksuit bottoms, applied for bail - but his application was ultimately refused on grounds that he had poor court attendance in the past. Giving evidence of arrest, charge and caution, Detective Sergeant Gareth Kane of the Special Detective Unit told the court that the accused made “no reply” when charged in Terenure Garda Station with the threat to kill Ms McDonald.
He told the court that the charge on indictment carries a potential sentence of 10 years and he had concerns in relation to bail. The Detective Sergeant said the charge pertains to threats made on social media platform Tiktok against a TD, namely Mary lou Mc Donald.
He said that while in his period of detention the accused “made admissions” in relation to the alleged activity. Defence solicitor for Mr McGreevy Kevin Tunney said he was making an application for bail, stating the matter was likely to go to the Circuit Court and the State would have “waiting some time” to decide jurisdiction.
He said his client has “memory problems” and has a “head injury” that he incurred when he was a child. He said Mr McGreevy’s father died when he was a child and that his mother abandoned him when he was three years old. He said the accused is now living alone in social housing with his two dogs - and he had concerns about them if he was imprisoned.
Mr Tunney also said that a “lot of information was released to the media” which “could prejudice a trial down the road.” He asked that if his client gets a phone, signs on daily and not go on social media, as well as be contactable at all times, that he be granted bail.
Detective Sergeant Kane said gardai were objecting to bail but said the matter is in the court’s hands. The accused man then stood up in court and asked if he could “speak for two seconds.” He said the reason he did not attend a previous court appearance was “I haven’t got money to go in and out of the city centre all the time.”
“I’m so sorry about that,” he told the court. Det Sgt Kane said gardai were objecting to bail as the charge is a threat to kill and it will be alleged the accused “incited violence against the Commissioner” and the homes of members of An Garda Siochana.
Speaking in court, Mr McGreevy then said: “I was angry that day. I was so angry that day, do you get me when I put that video up. “I didn’t mean to put it up. I didn’t mean for it to go so viral.” Defence solicitor Mr Tunney asked gardai to agree that his client is “not a member of any organisation or gang,” and that “he’s a loner.”
“I’m literally on my own with two dogs like,” the accused man said. Refusing bail Judge Murphy said the accused made admissions in custody and has a poor attendance history in court. He is also facing other unrelated charges, in relation to failing to give his name and address to a garda, and threatening and abusive behaviour at College Street, Dublin 2 on March 2nd this year
He’s further charged with failing to appear at a court sitting on May 21 this year in breach of his bail. The charges come after officers from the Special Detective Unit investigated a video which spread on social media site ‘TikTok.’ In the video a man wearing a homemade balaclava issued a threat to shoot Mary Lou McDonald.
Officers arrested Mr McGreevy at an address in Rathfarnham, South Dublin on Thursday morning in connection with the investigation. He was subsequently charged in the Garda station on Thursday night.
Join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. 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.
Related
Share this page
Guest Posts by Easy Branches
