Ireland Man charged over online threat to kill Taoiseach
A 32-year-old man, Cory O'Connor, of Battery Heights in Athlone, Co Westmeath, has been charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm to Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Detective Garda Bryan Kelly told the court that on 22 October 2025 the accused sent a message from his own social media platform to the Taoiseach's Facebook account, saying he would stab Mr Martin the next time he sees him. The accused met gardaí voluntarily and was arrested and charged at Athlone Garda Station. In May 2026 he appeared before Athlone District Court, where his solicitor said he would plead guilty, subject to the court accepting jurisdiction, and the judge granted him legal aid and bail with strict conditions. He is due to appear before Athlone District Court for sentencing next month.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court20 May
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A 32-year-old man, Cory O'Connor, is charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm to Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
- Where
- The accused is from Battery Heights in Athlone, Co Westmeath.
- When
- The threat was sent on 22 October 2025.
- Other details
- The message was sent from the accused's own social media platform to the Taoiseach's Facebook account.
- The message said the accused would stab Mr Martin the next time he sees him.
- The detective said the threat was the only message the accused sent.
- Investigation
- Detective Garda Bryan Kelly of the Special Detective Unit gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution.
- The accused met gardaí voluntarily and was arrested and charged at Athlone Garda Station.
- When charged, the accused said he had an apology letter at home.
- In court
- The case is to be dealt with summarily in the district court after DPP directions.
- The accused appeared before Athlone District Court, and his solicitor said he would plead guilty, subject to the court accepting jurisdiction.
- The judge granted him legal aid and remanded him on bail with strict conditions.
- Sentence
- He is due to appear before Athlone District Court for sentencing next month.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe charge concerns an online threat to kill Taoiseach Micheál Martin. (rte.ie)
- whereThe accused is from Battery Heights in Athlone, Co Westmeath. (rte.ie)
- whenThe threat was made on 22 October 2025. (rte.ie)
- causeThe threat was sent from his own social media platform to the Taoiseach's Facebook account. (rte.ie)
- investigationDetective Garda Bryan Kelly gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. (rte.ie)
- investigationThe accused met gardaí voluntarily and was arrested and charged at Athlone Garda Station. (rte.ie)
- chargeHe was charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm to Mr Martin. (rte.ie)
- courtThe case is to be dealt with summarily in the district court after DPP directions. (rte.ie)
- courtHis solicitor said he would plead guilty, subject to the court accepting jurisdiction. (rte.ie)
- courtThe judge granted him legal aid and remanded him on bail with strict conditions. (rte.ie)
- sentenceHe is due to appear before Athlone District Court for sentencing next month. (rte.ie)
- otherThe message said he would stab Mr Martin the next time he sees him. (rte.ie)
- otherThe detective said the threat was the only message the accused sent. (rte.ie)
- otherWhen charged, he said he had an apology letter at home. (rte.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 20 May2026Man charged over online threat to kill Taoiseach
First report of the charge against Cory O'Connor, who appeared at Athlone District Court. Adds the message was sent to the Taoiseach's Facebook account, the plea indication, bail conditions and sentencing date.
accused, Cory O'Connor, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Cory O'Connorvictim, Micheál Martin, irish (judged from name)Micheál Martin