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. 5614Threatening communications and menacing calls; cannabis cultivation and possession · Co. Tipperary

Man found not guilty of threatening TDs after search warrant ruled invalid

Between 18 and 23 October 2019, threatening messages and menacing calls were allegedly sent to TDs Martin Kenny, David Stanton and Seamus Healy, in a case based in Co Tipperary. The messages followed Martin Kenny's support for housing asylum seekers. Joseph Ballantine (48), of Grangelough, Borrisoleigh, was arrested at his home after a search warrant was executed and was charged with nine offences, including cannabis cultivation and possession. At his Circuit Court trial in Nenagh, the search warrant was ruled invalid and he was found not guilty of all charges by direction of the court, as reported on 23 June 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Acquitted23 Jun
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Threatening messages and menacing calls were allegedly sent to TDs Martin Kenny, David Stanton and Seamus Healy.
Cause
The messages followed Martin Kenny's support for housing asylum seekers.
Where
The accused lives in Grangelough, Borrisoleigh, Co Tipperary.
When
  • The Post Office Act offences were alleged to have occurred on 18, 22 and 23 October 2019.
  • The drug offences were alleged to have occurred on 4 November 2019.
Investigation
Gardaí arrested Joseph Ballantine at his home after executing a search warrant.
Charges
  • He was charged with five offences under the Post Office (Amendment) Act, 1951.
  • He was charged with two offences under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.
  • He was charged with two offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 relating to alleged cultivation and possession of cannabis.
In court
  • The trial was held at the Circuit Court in Nenagh and was expected to last two weeks.
  • The search warrant was found to be invalid, so the case could not proceed on the evidence.
  • Joseph Ballantine was found not guilty of all charges by direction of the court, and the jury was dismissed.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe accused lives in Grangelough, Borrisoleigh, Co Tipperary. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe Post Office Act offences were alleged to have occurred on 18, 22 and 23 October 2019. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe anonymous messages followed Martin Kenny's support for housing asylum seekers. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí arrested the accused at his home after executing a search warrant. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeHe was charged with five offences under the Post Office (Amendment) Act, 1951. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeHe was also charged with two offences under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeHe was charged with two offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe drug charges related to alleged cultivation and possession of cannabis. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeMost charges alleged threatening messages or menacing calls to Martin Kenny, David Stanton and Seamus Healy. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA man accused of sending threatening messages to three TDs was found not guilty by direction of a court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial was held at the Circuit Court in Nenagh. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe search warrant was found to be invalid, so the case could not proceed on the evidence. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial, expected to last two weeks, ended with the accused found not guilty of all charges and the jury dismissed. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 23 Jun2024
    Acquittedirishtimes.com, first report
    ‘Hopefully you are executed’: Man accused of sending threatening messages to three TDs found not guilty

    Reports the Circuit Court outcome: the trial ended with a not guilty verdict by direction after the search warrant was ruled invalid. No matching case in the list.

    accused, Joseph Ballantine, 48, male, named, irish (judged from name)Joseph Ballantinevictim, Martin Kenny, male, irish (judged from name)Martin Kennyvictim, David Stanton, male, irish (judged from name)David Stantonvictim, Seamus Healy, irish (judged from name)Seamus Healy