Saturday 31 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. 20276Threats to kill · Co. Limerick

Former Limerick senator sentenced for threatening neighbours

Between February 27 and April 5 'last', James Heffernan, a 43-year-old former Labour senator of Main Street, Kilfinan, County Limerick, made threats to kill his neighbours, brothers Patrick and Greg Ryan, and damaged three of their vehicles. At Kilmallock District Court, Heffernan pleaded guilty to two counts of threats to kill and to criminal damage causing €3,405 in damage, and had compensated the Ryans in full. The report published on July 20, 2023 says Judge Patricia Harney handed down a one-month sentence and suspended it for 18 months, the latest development in the case.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced20 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
James Heffernan, 43, of Main Street, Kilfinan, a former Labour senator, made threats to kill his neighbours, brothers Patrick and Greg Ryan.
Charges
  • Heffernan pleaded guilty to two counts of threats to kill against Patrick and Greg Ryan.
  • Heffernan pleaded guilty to damaging three vehicles belonging to the Ryan brothers, causing €3,405 in damage.
When
The threats were made between February 27 and April 5 'last', with no single incident date given.
Where
The offences involved neighbours, and Heffernan's address is given as Main Street, Kilfinan, County Limerick.
In court
  • The case was heard at Kilmallock District Court before Judge Patricia Harney and reported on July 20, 2023.
  • Heffernan had compensated the injured parties in full for the damage.
Sentence
Judge Harney handed down a one-month sentence and suspended it for 18 months.
Other details
  • The court heard that Heffernan has 33 previous convictions, including for assault, theft, drink driving and public order offences.
  • Heffernan was a primary school teacher by profession.
  • Heffernan was elected to the 24th Seanad in April 2011 for the Labour Party.
7 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatHeffernan pleaded guilty to two counts of threats to kill against his neighbours, brothers Patrick and Greg Ryan, between February 27 and April 5. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whatHeffernan pleaded guilty to damaging three vehicles belonging to the Ryan brothers, causing €3,405 in damage. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtJudge Patricia Harney heard that Heffernan had compensated the injured parties in full for the damage. (limerickpost.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Harney handed down a one-month sentence and suspended it for 18 months. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherThe court heard that Heffernan has 33 previous convictions, including for assault, theft, drink driving and public order offences. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherHeffernan was a primary school teacher by profession. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherHeffernan was elected to the 24th Seanad in April 2011 for the Labour Party. (limerickpost.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 20 Jul2023
    Sentencedlimerickpost.ie, first report
    Former Limerick senator sentenced for threatening to kill neighbours

    Sentencing report from Kilmallock District Court. The threats were made between February 27 and April 5 of the year given as 'last', with no single incident date. This is a different incident from existing case 17398 (a 2024 public drunkenness charge against a 44-year-old man from Kilfinane), so no case is matched.

    convicted, James Heffernan, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Heffernanvictim, male, irish (judged from name)victim, Greg Ryan, male, irish (judged from name)Greg Ryan