Sunday 1 November 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. 4991Harassment (harmful communications) · Co. Galway · 9 Jan 2024

Man sentenced for harmful communications offences in Galway

Daragh O'Flaherty, a 47-year-old man from Clarinbridge, Co Galway, was sentenced to four months in prison on 5 June 2026 after being found guilty of four harmful communications offences. He was charged with distributing or publishing threatening communications about Hildegarde Naughton and Seán Kyne on 9 and 10 January 2024, in which he allegedly stated they would need an ambulance, a fire brigade, the police, or six stitches if he encountered them. Naughton told Galway District Court she was frightened for her personal safety, while Kyne said he took the video as a direct threat. O'Flaherty, who has 34 previous convictions, denied the charges and intends to appeal the sentence to the Circuit Court.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Charged6 Mar
  4. In court5 Mar
    3 reports
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced5 Jun
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
On 9 and 10 January 2024, O'Flaherty allegedly posted threatening communications on Telegram about Naughton and Kyne, stating they would need an ambulance, a fire brigade, the police, or six stitches if he encountered them.
Where
The case was heard at Galway District Court.
When
The alleged offences occurred on 9 and 10 January 2024.
Investigation
Detective garda John Kerrigan of Galway Garda station was assigned to investigate after Catherine Connolly TD notified gardaí of messages posted online.
Charges
O'Flaherty was charged with four offences under Section 4 of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and related offences Act 2020, and a previous threatening-to-kill charge was withdrawn and struck out by Judge Mary Fahy.
In court
O'Flaherty represented himself before Judge Patricia Cronin and stated his only defence was fraud.
Sentence
Judge Cronin imposed a four-month sentence on each charge to run concurrently.
Other details
  • O'Flaherty is of New Estate, Clarinbridge, Co Galway, and is aged 47 (reported as 49 in one source).
  • Naughton told the court she was frightened for her personal safety and had to reassess her movements, while Kyne said he took the video as a direct threat.
  • O'Flaherty has 34 previous convictions, made no expression of remorse, and intends to appeal the sentence to the Circuit Court.
  • O'Flaherty claimed he received the stitches because he was assaulted by gardaí in Dublin.
58 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe alleged offences involve communications about Hildegarde Naughton and Fine Gael Senator Sean Kyne. (rte.ie)
  • whatOn 9 January, O'Flaherty allegedly used Telegram to state that if he encountered Naughton and Kyne, they would need an ambulance, a fire brigade and the police. (rte.ie)
  • whatOn 10 January, O'Flaherty allegedly stated both politicians would need six stitches if he encountered them. (rte.ie)
  • whatA video posted on January 10th said six stitches for the speaker meant six stitches for named Galway politicians, including Naughton. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatNaughton said she was frightened and had to reassess her movements and those of her staff. (irishtimes.com, thejournal.ie)
  • whatNaughton decided not to attend an event in Galway cathedral due to fears for her safety. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatKyne said he took the video as a direct threat. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatDaragh O'Flaherty was sentenced to four months in prison after being found guilty of threatening two Fine Gael TDs in 2024. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe hearing took place at Galway District Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereO'Flaherty is of New Estate, Clarinbridge, Co Galway. (rte.ie)
  • whenOn 9 and 10 January 2024, O'Flaherty allegedly distributed or published a threatening communication about Ms Naughton with intent to cause harm. (rte.ie)
  • whenOn the same dates, he allegedly distributed or published a threatening communication about Mr Kyne with intent to cause harm. (rte.ie)
  • whenMs Naughton gave evidence on Friday at Galway District Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenAnother video was posted online on 9 January 2024. (rte.ie)
  • investigationDet John Kerrigan of Galway Garda station was assigned to investigate after Catherine Connolly TD notified gardaí of messages posted online. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationKerrigan found a Telegram channel in which a man alleged to be O’Flaherty posted videos. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationDetective garda John Kerrigan was assigned to investigate after Catherine Connolly TD notified gardaí of messages posted online. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeO'Flaherty is accused of four offences under Section 4 of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and related offences Act 2020. (rte.ie)
  • chargeHe was previously charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm to Ms Naughton on 10 January. (rte.ie)
  • chargeA man was charged with threats to politicians. (extra.ie)
  • chargeDaragh O’Flaherty denies offences under section 4 of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and related offences Act 2020. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeIt is alleged that on January 9th and 10th, 2024, O’Flaherty published a threatening or grossly offensive communication about Naughton with intent to cause harm. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeTwo further charges allege the same conduct about Seán Kyne. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeO’Flaherty denies offences under Section 4 of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeIt is alleged that on 9 and 10 January 2024 he distributed or published a threatening or grossly offensive communication about Naughton with intent to cause harm. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeTwo further charges allege similar communications about Seán Kyne on 9 and 10 January. (thejournal.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 was heard at Galway District Court. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe State withdrew the threatening-to-kill charge and it was struck out by Judge Mary Fahy. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe DPP directed summary disposal of the four new charges in the District Court. (rte.ie)
  • courtJudge Fahy accepted jurisdiction to hear the case in the district court. (rte.ie)
  • courtAn order was made directing all statements in the case be provided to defence solicitor John Martin. (rte.ie)
  • courtAn application for legal aid was granted. (rte.ie)
  • courtBail conditions require O'Flaherty to be of good behaviour and refrain from posting threatening content online. (rte.ie)
  • courtHe must reside at his current address and report once a week to a garda station. (rte.ie)
  • courtHe must have no contact with the complainants or any potential witnesses. (rte.ie)
  • courtHe must stay away from the homes and constituency offices of Ms Naughton and Mr Kyne. (rte.ie)
  • courtO'Flaherty was remanded on bail to appear again later in the month. (rte.ie)
  • courtHe is due to indicate his attitude to the charges on that date. (rte.ie)
  • courtO’Flaherty, representing himself, told the court he will not be calling witnesses. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Cronin warned O’Flaherty she would consider holding him in contempt if he kept interrupting the court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case was adjourned for mention to November 4th. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtO’Flaherty is representing himself. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtO’Flaherty told the court he will not call witnesses and his only defence is fraud. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe judge adjourned the case for mention to 4 November. (thejournal.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 has claimed he received the stitches because he was assaulted by gardaí in Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherTwo videos from January 9th and 10th were played in court. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherSeán Kyne said he took the reference to stitches as a direct threat. (irishtimes.com)
  • 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
  1. 5 Jun2026
    Sentencedrte.ie, follow-up
    Man 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
  2. 11 Oct2024
    In courtthejournal.ie, its first report
    Hildegarde Naughton 'frightened' for personal safety after online threat to give her 'stitches', court hears

    Reports the 11 October 2024 hearing at Galway District Court, including evidence from Hildegarde Naughton and Seán Kyne, the defendant's self-representation and stated defence, and the adjournment to 4 November.

    victim, Hildegarde Naughton, female, irish (judged from name)Hildegarde Naughtonvictim, Seán Kyne, male, irish (judged from name)Seán Kyneaccused, Daragh O'Flaherty, 47, male, named, irish (judged from name)Daragh O'Flaherty
  3. 11 Oct2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, its first report
    Hildegarde Naughton was ‘frightened’ for personal safety after ‘six stitches’ online threat, court hears

    Reports evidence given by Hildegarde Naughton and Seán Kyne at Galway District Court, including the stitches video, the defence cross-examination, and the adjournment to November 4th. The accused denies the charges and will not call witnesses.

    accused, Daragh O'Flaherty, 47, 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
  4. 6 Mar2024
    Chargedextra.ie, its first report
    Man Is Charged With Threats To Politicians

    The article body consists only of website template code and provides no details beyond the headline that a man was charged with threats to politicians.

    accused, male
  5. 5 Mar2024
    In courtrte.ie, first report
    Man in court over communications to Naughton, Kyne

    Court appearance on 5 March 2024 where four harmful communications charges were detailed, the previous threatening-to-kill charge was withdrawn and struck out, and bail conditions were set including a ban on posting threatening content online and staying away from Naughton and Kyne's homes and offices.

    accused, Daragh O'Flaherty, 47, male, named, irish (judged from name)Daragh O'Flahertyvictim, Hildegarde Naughton, female, irish (judged from name)Hildegarde Naughtonvictim, Sean Kyne, male, irish (judged from name)Sean Kyne