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. 13604Harassment and harmful communications (intent to cause harm); threatening, abusive or insulting words with intent to provoke a breach of the peace (hate offence) · Co. Dublin · 24 May 2024

Man charged over online video threatening Irish babies and children

Benjamin Petre, a 50-year-old man, was charged over an online video allegedly threatening to slice Irish babies and children, which was understood to have originally been posted to TikTok. The alleged offences took place at an unknown location in Dublin, and the charge sheet dates them to 24 May 2024, though this is probably a typo for 2025. Petre was arrested in Rathmiles, Abbeyleix, Co Laois, on Wednesday 28 May and charged the night before the report with intent to cause harm under the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020, and with threatening words intended to provoke a breach of the peace and demonstrating hatred towards the people under the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024. He was remanded in custody after appearing at Portlaoise District Court and is due to appear again by video on 5 June.

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

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A man was charged over an online video allegedly threatening to slice Irish babies and kids.
Other details
  • The suspect is Benjamin Petre, a man aged 50.
  • When charged and cautioned, he said, "I can't say anything as you are not listening, Mark."
Where
Both offences were allegedly committed at an unknown location in Dublin, County Dublin.
When
The charge sheet gives the offence date as 24 May 2024, but this is probably a typo for 2025 given the May 2025 arrest.
Cause
  • The man allegedly published a video online threatening to slice Irish babies and kids.
  • The video allegedly containing threats was understood to have originally been posted to TikTok.
Investigation
Petre was arrested in Rathmiles, Abbeyleix, Co Laois, on Wednesday 28 May and charged the night before the report.
Charges
  • Petre was charged with intent to cause harm under the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020.
  • He was further charged with threatening, abusive or insulting words intended to provoke a breach of the peace, and with demonstrating hatred towards the people under the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024.
In court
  • He was remanded in custody after appearing at Portlaoise District Court.
  • He is due to appear again by video on 5 June.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereBoth offences were alleged to have been committed at an unknown location in Dublin. (gript.ie)
  • whenBoth offences were alleged to have been committed on 24 May 2024. (gript.ie)
  • causeThe man allegedly published a video online threatening to slice Irish babies and kids. (gript.ie)
  • causeThe video allegedly containing threats was understood to have originally been posted to TikTok. (gript.ie)
  • investigationPetre was arrested in Rathmiles, Abbeyleix, on Wednesday, 28 May, and charged the night before the report. (gript.ie)
  • chargeBenjamin Petre was charged with intent to cause harm under the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020. (gript.ie)
  • chargeHe was further charged with threatening, abusive or insulting words intended to provoke a breach of the peace, and with demonstrating hatred towards the Irish people under the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024. (gript.ie)
  • courtHe was remanded in custody after appearing at Portlaoise District Court. (gript.ie)
  • courtHe is due to appear again by video on 5 June. (gript.ie)
  • otherWhen charged and cautioned, he said, "I can't say anything as you are not listening, Mark." (gript.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 29 May2025
    In courtgript.ie, first report
    Man charged for alleged threat to ‘slice Irish babies' - Gript

    The article reports the charges, arrest, remand in custody and next court date. The charge sheet gives the offence date as 24 May 2024, which is probably a typo for 2025 given the May 2025 arrest, and places the offence at an unknown location in Dublin. The arrest was in Rathmiles, Abbeyleix, Co Laois.

    accused, Benjamin Petre, 50, male, namedBenjamin Petre