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. 19597Threatening communication (Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020) · Co. Kildare · 31 Mar 2022

Man sentenced for threatening communication to Kildare TD at Naas court

Paul Corr, 39, of Kilcock, Kildare, allegedly sent a threatening email on 31 March 2022 to Fianna Fáil TD James Lawless, threatening to kill him and rape 16 of his female relatives. Corr was arrested at his residence on 19 April 2022 and made admissions, later admitting the offence. The case was prosecuted at Naas District Court under the Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020, with the matter adjourned in March 2023 for a probation report and victim impact statement. In October 2023, Judge Michele Finan sentenced Corr to a six-month custody term and directed he receive psychiatric treatment in custody.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court3 Mar
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced5 Oct
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Paul Corr, 39 (reports differ: 40), of Pitchfordstown Lodge, Kilcock, allegedly sent a threatening email on 31 March 2022 to Fianna Fáil TD James Lawless.
  • The email threatened to kill Lawless and rape 16 of his female relatives if a Central Statistics Office person knocked on his door.
Where
The case was prosecuted at Naas District Court.
When
Corr was arrested at his residence on 19 April 2022.
Investigation
Corr made admissions at arrest and later admitted the offence.
Charges
Corr was prosecuted under the Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020 for sending a threatening communication.
In court
  • The matter was adjourned in March 2023 for a possible probation report and victim impact statement.
  • Terms were fixed for an appeal to be lodged.
Sentence
Judge Michele Finan imposed a six-month custody term and directed Corr to receive psychiatric treatment in custody.
Other details
The garda did not believe the threat was genuine.
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatPaul Corr, 39, of Pitchfordstown Lodge, Kilcock, allegedly sent a threatening communication on 31 March 2022. (kildarenow.com)
  • whatA man threatened to kill a Kildare TD and rape 16 of his female relatives. (kildarenow.com)
  • whatThe email stated that if a Central Statistics Office person knocked on his door he would carry out the threat. (kildarenow.com)
  • whereThe case was heard at Naas District Court. (kildarenow.com)
  • whenThe threatening communication was sent on March 31, 2022. (kildarenow.com)
  • investigationThe man made admissions when he was arrested. (kildarenow.com)
  • investigationThe defendant was arrested on April 19 at his residence. (kildarenow.com)
  • chargeThe defendant was prosecuted under the Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act (2020) for sending a threatening communication to James Lawless. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe case is being prosecuted at Naas District Court. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtJudge Michele Finan asked whether the injured party wished to make a victim impact statement. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtDefending solicitor David Powderly indicated a psychiatric report may be submitted. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe matter was adjourned to 24 May for a possible probation report and victim impact statement. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtTerms were fixed for an appeal to be lodged. (kildarenow.com)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed a six-month term. (kildarenow.com)
  • sentenceThe defendant was directed to receive psychiatric treatment in custody, if necessary. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherThe garda did not believe that the threat was genuine. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherThe defendant admitted the offence. (kildarenow.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 5 Oct2023
    Sentencedkildarenow.com, follow-up
    KILDARE COURT: Custody term for man who threatened to kill a Kildare TD and rape his relatives

    First report of this case. Covers the sentencing hearing at Naas District Court, the arrest, the email's content, and the defendant's mental health and probation submissions.

    convicted, Paul Corr, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Corrvictim, James Lawless, male, irish (judged from name)James Lawless
  2. 3 Mar2023
    In courtkildarenow.com, first report
    KILDARE COURT: Man allegedly sent threatening email to politician

    Reports the 3 March 2023 court appearance at Naas District Court where the case was adjourned to 24 May 2023; notes that Corr made admissions at arrest and that a psychiatric report may be submitted by defence.

    accused, Paul Corr, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Corr