Friday 30 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 17756Harassment · Co. Tipperary

Ballingarry man given suspended sentence for harassing Thurles shop worker

William Butler, a 65-year-old man from Ballingarry, was charged with harassing Mary Carroll, a woman, at Boyle Sports in Thurles between February 1 and October 8, 2022. The victim made a written statement to gardaí in September 2022, and he was charged with harassment under Section 10 of the Non-Fatal Acts Against the Person Act 1997. In March 2024, Thurles District Court convicted him and gave him a three-month suspended prison sentence with conditions including no contact with her and staying away from her, her residence and Boyle Sports. The sentence was reported on 29 March 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced28 Mar
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
William Butler, a 65-year-old man from Ballingarry, was charged with harassing a woman.
Where
The harassment took place at Boyle Sports in Thurles.
When
The harassment took place between February 1 and October 8, 2022.
Cause
  • The accused made comments about the victim's body and made sexual comments to her.
  • The accused told the victim that the IRA would put a bullet in her head for calling them.
Investigation
The victim made a written statement to gardaí in September 2022.
Charges
The accused was charged with harassment contrary to Section 10 of the Non-Fatal Acts Against the Person Act 1997.
In court
Thurles District Court heard the case, and the judge described the victim as a credible, honest and truthful witness.
Sentence
  • The accused was given a three-month suspended prison sentence.
  • The suspension requires no communication with the victim, including on social media, staying away from her, her residence and Boyle Sports, and remaining sober.
Other details
  • The accused has seven previous convictions, several for public order offences.
  • The accused had to be removed from the courtroom by gardaí before his sentence was called out, as he continually disrupted the court.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA Ballingarry man was given a three-month suspended prison sentence for harassing a woman. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • whereThe harassment took place at Boyle Sports in Thurles. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • whenThe harassment took place between February 1 and October 8, 2022. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • investigationThe victim made a written statement to gardaí in September 2022. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • chargeThe accused was charged with harassment contrary to Section 10 of the Non-Fatal Acts Against the Person Act 1997. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • courtThe judge described the victim as a credible, honest and truthful witness. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • sentenceThe suspended sentence requires no communication with the victim, including on social media, and the accused must stay away from her, her residence and Boyle Sports and remain sober. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • otherThe accused made comments about the victim's body and made sexual comments to her. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • otherThe accused told the victim that the IRA would put a bullet in her head for calling them. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • otherThe accused has seven previous convictions, several for public order offences. (tipperarylive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 28 Mar2024
    Sentencedtipperarylive.ie, first report
    Tipperary man convicted of harassment told woman the 'IRA would put a bullet in her head'

    Reports the conviction and suspended sentence, the court's conditions, the victim impact statement and the accused's previous convictions.

    convicted, William Butler, 65, male, named, irish (judged from name)William Butlervictim, Mary Carroll, female, irish (judged from name)Mary Carroll