Case No. 0985Threatening to kill or maim · Co. Meath · 4 May 2024
Meath councillor threatened with hammer over support for Ukrainians
On 4 May 2024, Meath County Councillor Alan Tobin was threatened with a hammer by Ciaran Starrs, 50, at Castle Street, Ashbourne, after Starrs called him a traitor over his support for Ukrainians. Starrs was charged under the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act with threatening to kill or maim. At his first court appearance on 18 September 2025, the case was adjourned to allow Starrs to pay a €500 donation. The judge indicated that if the money is paid, the Probation of Offenders Act would apply and Starrs would avoid a conviction.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court18 Sep
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Ciaran Starrs, 50, was charged under the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act with threatening to kill or maim Alan Tobin.
- Mr Tobin was replenishing plastic bags in dog bins when Starrs pulled up beside him in a vehicle, called him a traitor, and threatened him over his support for Ukrainians.
- Where
- The incident took place at Castle Street, Ashbourne, County Meath.
- When
- The incident occurred on 4 May 2024.
- Weapon
- Starrs produced a hammer during the incident.
- In court
- At his first appearance at District Court on 18 September 2025, the case was adjourned to allow Starrs to pay a €500 donation.
- Sentence
- The judge indicated that if the money is paid, the Probation of Offenders Act would apply and Starrs would avoid a conviction.
- Other details
- Starrs has seven previous convictions, the most recent in 2008, and admitted in Garda interviews that his behaviour was unacceptable.
- Mr Tobin said the incident made him think twice about continuing as a public representative, and a crime-prevention officer was in his house to check its security.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatCiaran Starrs was charged under the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act with threatening to kill or maim Mr Tobin. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMr Tobin was replenishing plastic bags in dog bins when the defendant pulled up beside him in a vehicle. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident took place at Castle Street, Ashbourne. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident occurred on 4 May 2024. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponThe defendant produced a hammer during the incident. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case was adjourned to allow the defendant to pay the amount. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceIf the money is paid, the judge would apply the Probation of Offenders Act, meaning Mr Starrs would avoid a conviction. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe defendant has seven previous convictions, the most recent in 2008. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe defendant admitted in Garda interviews that his behaviour was unacceptable. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMr Tobin said the incident made him think twice about continuing as a public representative. (irishtimes.com)
- otherA crime-prevention officer was in Mr Tobin's house to make sure his house is secure. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe defendant is not working at the moment. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 18 Sep2025Meath councillor threatened by man with hammer over support for Ukrainians, court hears
First court appearance for the charge; judge indicated a conditional outcome under the Probation of Offenders Act if the €500 donation is paid.
victim, Alan Tobin, male, irish (judged from name)Alan Tobinaccused, Ciaran Starrs, 50, male, named, irish (judged from name)Ciaran Starrs