Ireland Gardaí seek source of threats against Limerick mayoral candidate Daniel Butler
Gardaí at Roxboro are investigating threats and harassment against Fine Gael mayoral candidate and Limerick councillor Daniel Butler and his wife Tania. Reported on 23 May 2024, the matters included an anonymous phone call to Tania Butler that mentioned a family member, an abusive Instagram message to Daniel Butler hours later, and online posts of the family home with its address alongside calls for people to smash its windows. On 31 May 2024 the Limerick Post reported that gardaí had sent warrants to TikTok to search accounts and identify who was behind the threats, and no arrest or charge has been reported. The mayoral election takes place on Friday, 7 June.
- Reported23 May
2 reports - Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Gardaí are investigating a complaint of harassment aimed at Daniel Butler, a Fine Gael candidate in the Limerick mayoral election.
- Where
- Officers at Roxboro are examining the matter in Limerick.
- When
- The reports were published on 23 May 2024 and 31 May 2024, and no incident date is given.
- Other details
- Tania Butler received a telephone call from an anonymous number that mentioned a member of the family.
- Hours later, Daniel Butler received an abusive message from a newly created Instagram account.
- Anonymous online trolls posted photographs of the family home with address details and called for people to smash its windows and cause criminal damage.
- Daniel Butler said the communications have left his family scared, upset and angry.
- Daniel Butler has increased security at his home and admitted he considered withdrawing from the race.
- Daniel Butler and his wife have changed how they share their children publicly.
- Daniel Butler said he would not be intimidated and would continue in the mayoral race.
- Investigation
- Officers are examining potentially malicious communications sent to Daniel Butler and Tania Butler, and this is the second garda investigation into harassment of him.
- Gardaí have sent warrants to TikTok to search accounts and identify who is behind the threats.
- Charges
- No arrest or charge has been reported in the articles.
18 statements extracted from the articles
- investigationGardaí have opened a second investigation into harassment aimed at Daniel Butler. (limerickleader.ie)
- investigationOfficers at Roxboro are examining potentially malicious communications sent to Butler and his wife Tania. (limerickleader.ie)
- investigationA garda spokesperson confirmed they are investigating a complaint of harassment. (limerickleader.ie)
- investigationGardaí have sent warrants to TikTok to search accounts in an attempt to find the source of intimidation and threats against Daniel Butler. (limerickpost.ie)
- investigationGardaí have issued warrants to TikTok to identify who is behind the accounts. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherThe communications have left Butler's family scared, upset and angry, he says. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherTania Butler received a telephone call from an anonymous number that mentioned a family member. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherHours later, Butler received an abusive message from a newly created Instagram account. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThis is the second time gardaí have had to intervene. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherEarlier this month, online trolls posted pictures of Butler's home with address details and called for people to smash his windows. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherButler has increased security at his home. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherButler has admitted he considered withdrawing from the mayoral race. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherButler and his wife have had to make changes, including reviewing how they share their children publicly. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe mayoral election takes place on Friday, June 7. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherGardaí are investigating allegations that Daniel Butler received an anonymous telephone call that mentioned a member of his family. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherDaniel Butler received an abusive message on Instagram. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherPhotographs of Daniel Butler's family home were posted online. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherAnonymous online trolls made calls to cause criminal damage to the house. (limerickpost.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 31 May2024Gardaí send warrants to Tik Tok to trace Limerick troll threats
Reports gardaí sending warrants to TikTok to trace the accounts behind threats against Cllr Daniel Butler, and lists the allegations under investigation, including an anonymous call, an abusive Instagram message and calls for criminal damage to his family home.
victim, Daniel Butler, irish (judged from name)Daniel Butler - 23 May2024Gardaí probe complaint of harassment to Limerick mayoral election candidate
Reports a second garda investigation into harassment of Daniel Butler and his wife. Adds the anonymous call mentioning a family member, an abusive Instagram message received hours later, the earlier posting of his home address and calls to smash his windows, his increased home security, his admission that he considered withdrawing, and changes the family has made to how they share their children publicly.
victim, Daniel Butler, male, irish (judged from name)Daniel Butlervictim, Tania, femaleTania