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. 1581Hate offences (online threats on social media) · Co. Laois

Man charged over TikTok threats to 'slice Irish babies'

A man was arrested in Abbeyleix, Laois, on 27 May 2025 over alleged threats made on TikTok, including to 'slice Irish babies' and harm children. Beniamin Petre, of no fixed abode, was charged under the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020 and the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024. He appeared before a special sitting of Portlaoise District Court on 29 May 2025, where Judge Andrew Cody remanded him in custody to appear again on 5 June 2025 by video link. Gardaí are awaiting directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions and further charges may be applied.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested29 May
  3. Charged29 May
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A man was arrested in Abbeyleix, Laois, on 27 May 2025 over alleged threats made on TikTok, including to 'slice Irish babies' and harm children.
Where
The accused was conveyed to Abbeyleix Garda Station.
When
The arrest took place on Wednesday 27 May 2025 and the first court appearance was on Thursday 29 May 2025.
Investigation
  • Detective Garda Mark Russell arrested the accused under Section 5 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, and he was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.
  • Gardaí are awaiting directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions and further charges may be applied.
Charges
Beniamin Petre, of no fixed abode, was charged under the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020 and the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024.
In court
The accused appeared before a special sitting of Portlaoise District Court on 29 May 2025, where Judge Andrew Cody remanded him in custody to appear again on 5 June 2025 by video link.
Other details
A Garda spokesperson confirmed there is no ongoing threat to public safety, and the accused's defence counsel said he was not seeking bail and was consenting to be remanded in custody.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man was arrested in Abbeyleix, Laois, on Wednesday morning. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatIn a video circulating on social media, a man can be heard making threats towards 'Irish' including to harm children. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe threats were made on TikTok and involved 'slicing Irish babies'. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe accused was conveyed to Abbeyleix Garda Station. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe arrest was part of an ongoing investigation into alleged threats shared widely across social media. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe arrested man is detained at a Garda Station in the Eastern Region under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationDetective Garda Mark Russell arrested the accused in Laois on Wednesday under Section 5 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are awaiting directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions and further charges may be applied. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeBeniamin Petre was charged under the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020 and under the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe accused appeared before a special sitting of Portlaoise District Court on Thursday. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtJudge Andrew Cody remanded the accused in custody to appear again at Portlaoise District Court on 5 June 2025 by video link. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherA Garda spokesperson confirmed there is no ongoing threat to public safety. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe accused's defence counsel said he was not seeking bail and was consenting to be remanded in custody. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 29 May2025
    Chargedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Man charged over TikTok threats to 'slice Irish babies'

    First court appearance; remanded in custody; Gardaí awaiting DPP directions with further charges possible.

    accused, Beniamin Petre, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Beniamin Petre
  2. 29 May2025
    Arrestedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    School put into 'lockdown' as gardai arrest man over alleged online threats

    Reports the arrest of the man in Abbeyleix, Laois, on Wednesday 27 May 2025, and the precautionary lockdown of Scoil Mhuire on the Ballyroan Road.

    suspect, male