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. 3797Threat to kill, threat to cause bodily harm · Co. Galway · 4 Aug 2024

Patrick Grealish jailed for four months over online threats to kill Simon Harris

Patrick Grealish, 49, of Lettermullen, Co Galway, was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment (four suspended) at Derrynea District Court for making an online threat to kill Tánaiste Simon Harris and harm his family on 4 August 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced17 Feb
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatPatrick Grealish made an online threat to kill Simon Harris and harm his family (irishtimes.com)
  • whatGrealish has 70 previous convictions, 46 for theft and 24 for road traffic offences (irishtimes.com)
  • whatSimon Harris told Grealish to stay away from his family in a victim-impact statement (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHarris said the words of people who hide behind a keyboard can still cause real pain and worry (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHarris said the threat violated his family home (irishtimes.com)
  • whatGrealish did not speak during the 12-minute hearing (irishtimes.com)
  • whatGrealish pleaded guilty in October 2025 (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA probation report indicated the risk of Grealish reoffending was low (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe report indicated Grealish was emotionally unstable at the time, exacerbated by alcohol consumption (irishtimes.com)
  • whatTwo close family friends had died at the time of the offence (irishtimes.com)
  • whatGrealish made admissions while detained, indicated no intention of carrying out the threats, expressed remorse, and wrote a letter of apology (irishtimes.com)
  • whatGrealish no longer drank alcohol and had not come to the attention of An Garda Síochána since August 2024 (irishtimes.com)
  • whatGrealish was an only child and sole carer for his elderly mother who had dementia (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe judge said it was a serious offence that merited a custodial sentence (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe judge noted threats of violence against political figures are coming to the fore more frequently (irishtimes.com)
  • whereGrealish has an address at Garraí An Choirce in Lettermullen, Co Galway (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGrealish was arrested shortly after the online threat was made in August 2024 (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 17 Feb2026
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Galway man jailed for four months over online threats to kill Simon Harris and harm family

    Reports the sentencing of Patrick Grealish, including his 70 previous convictions, the victim-impact statement from Simon Harris, probation report findings, and the judge's reasoning for the custodial sentence.

    convicted, Patrick Grealish, 49, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Grealishvictim, Simon Harris, male, irish (judged from name)Simon Harris