Ireland Man jailed for threatening Fine Gael TDs Hildegarde Naughton and Seán Kyne
In January 2024, Daragh O'Flaherty, a 49-year-old man of New Estate, Clarinbridge, Co Galway, was charged with distributing or publishing threatening or grossly offensive communications, with intent to cause harm, targeting Fine Gael TDs Hildegarde Naughton, a woman, and Seán Kyne, a man. The case began at Galway District Court, where O'Flaherty denied the charges and both TDs described fear or concern for their safety. On 5 June 2026, almost two years after the case began, Judge Patricia Cronin found him guilty and sentenced him to four months in prison on each charge, to run concurrently, with bail conditions barring contact with the TDs. O'Flaherty intends to appeal the sentence to the Circuit Court.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced5 Jun
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Daragh O'Flaherty was found guilty of threatening two Fine Gael TDs in 2024.
- Where
- O'Flaherty is of New Estate, Clarinbridge, Co Galway.
- When
- Threats were posted online in January 2024, including a video posted on 9 January 2024.
- Charges
- O'Flaherty was charged with distributing or publishing threatening or grossly offensive communications, with intent to cause harm, on dates in January 2024.
- In court
- The case first began at Galway District Court, where O'Flaherty denied the charges.
- No victim impact statements were read into the record.
- Sentence
- Judge Patricia Cronin imposed a four-month sentence on each charge, to run concurrently.
- Judge Cronin imposed bail conditions including no contact with Naughton or Kyne and staying away from their homes and constituency offices.
- Other details
- Hildegarde Naughton said she was frightened for her personal safety and had to reassess her movements after the threats online.
- Seán Kyne said he was concerned for his safety after the threats.
- O'Flaherty had 34 previous convictions and made no expression of remorse.
- O'Flaherty intends to appeal the sentence to the Circuit Court.
- O'Flaherty was taken into custody.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatDaragh O'Flaherty was sentenced to four months in prison after being found guilty of threatening two Fine Gael TDs in 2024. (rte.ie)
- whereO'Flaherty is of New Estate, Clarinbridge, Co Galway. (rte.ie)
- whenAnother video was posted online on 9 January 2024. (rte.ie)
- chargeO'Flaherty was charged with distributing or publishing threatening or grossly offensive communications, with intent to cause harm, on dates in January 2024. (rte.ie)
- courtThe case first began at Galway District Court. (rte.ie)
- courtNo victim impact statements were read into the record. (rte.ie)
- sentenceJudge Patricia Cronin imposed a four-month sentence on each charge, to run concurrently. (rte.ie)
- sentenceJudge Cronin imposed bail conditions including no contact with Naughton or Kyne and staying away from their homes and constituency offices. (rte.ie)
- otherO'Flaherty denied the charges. (rte.ie)
- otherHildegarde Naughton said she was frightened for her personal safety and had to reassess her movements after she was subjected to threats online. (rte.ie)
- otherSeán Kyne said he was concerned for his safety after the threats. (rte.ie)
- otherO'Flaherty had 34 previous convictions and made no expression of remorse. (rte.ie)
- otherO'Flaherty intends to appeal the sentence to the Circuit Court. (rte.ie)
- otherO'Flaherty was taken into custody. (rte.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 5 Jun2026Man jailed for threatening Fine Gael's Naughton, Kyne
Reports the sentencing of O'Flaherty at Galway District Court, the court's bail conditions, his intention to appeal, and his 34 previous convictions.
convicted, Daragh O'Flaherty, 49, male, named, irish (judged from name)Daragh O'Flahertyvictim, Hildegarde Naughton, female, irish (judged from name)Hildegarde Naughtonvictim, Seán Kyne, male, irish (judged from name)Seán Kyne