Wednesday 28 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. 4800Harassment · Co. Clare

Jason Downes denies harassing Garda through fake Facebook posts at Ennis trial

Jason Downes, 31, is on trial at Ennis Circuit Court, denying he harassed Garda David King through posts and messages from a fake Facebook account in June 2020. He told gardaí at interview that he did not make the posts, and the trial continues.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court29 Oct
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
22 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGarda King's wife received anonymous Facebook Messenger messages about her husband in June 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe messages came from a Facebook profile named Tommy Teirnan, spelt wrong. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatA message on 16 June 2020 said the husband would be very sorry when the sender found out more about him. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatA post on 8 June 2020 from the Tommy Teirnan profile included photos on Facebook. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe trial is being heard at Ennis Circuit Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe messages were sent in June 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeGarda King seized a car driven by Nathan Downes on 8 June 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí seized Jason Downes's phone and found the email address used to set up the Tommy Teirnan profile. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationJason Downes was questioned and denied knowledge of the posts. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationAt interview, Downes said he did not send any messages about Garda King. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationAt interview, Downes repeatedly denied having any role in posting the Facebook messages. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí put circumstantial technical evidence concerning an email account to Downes at interview. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeJason Downes denies harassing Garda David (Daithi) King between 6 and 16 June 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeJason Downes denies harassing Garda David King between 6 and 16 June 2020 contrary to Section 10 of the Non Fatal Offences Against The Person Act. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe trial is at Ennis Circuit Court before a jury. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe trial continues on Friday. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherGarda King said he was distressed by the messages and posts, which included photos of him on duty and at his wedding. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe trial continues on Wednesday. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe State alleges the comments were made through a fake Facebook account. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherDownes’s counsel said he was adamant he was not responsible for the material. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherOne message to Garda King’s wife said her husband was only a coward and would be sorry. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherGarda King said he was distressed by the messages and posts. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 31 Oct2024
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Man denies calling Garda 'sh**ty arse coward' in messages to Garda's wife

    Trial report: the accused denies the harassment charge. Jury heard interview denials, circumstantial technical evidence about an email account, and evidence from the victim and his wife. Trial continues on Friday.

    accused, Jason Downes, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jason Downesvictim, David (Daithi) King, male, irish (judged from name)David (Daithi) Kingvictim, Ciara Bohan, female, irish (judged from name)Ciara Bohan
  2. 29 Oct2024
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Garda's wife tells of distress after messages from anonymous Facebook account

    Trial report from Ennis Circuit Court with witness evidence from Ciara Bohan and Garda King; the messages were sent from a profile named Tommy Teirnan, and gardaí traced an email address to the account. Trial continues on the following Wednesday.

    accused, Jason Downes, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jason Downesvictim, David (Daithi) King, male, irish (judged from name)David (Daithi) King