Ireland Sentence of MEP Kathleen Funchion's ex-partner increased on appeal at Kilkenny Circuit Court
Sean Tyrell, 39, the former partner of MEP Kathleen Funchion, pleaded guilty to harassment offences under Coco's Law relating to August 2022, with guilty pleas in the District Court covering four different dates. He was given a four-month jail term and a separate four-month suspended sentence under Section 4 of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020. Tyrell took a severity-only appeal to Kilkenny Circuit Court, where both sentences were increased to five months and the suspended sentence was suspended for two years on a €100 personal bond. The appeal outcome was reported on 16 February 2026, although the tracker dates the article 1 February 2026.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced1 Feb
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- Other details
- The victim is MEP Kathleen Funchion, Tyrell's former partner.
- The probation report was not positive and raised concerns about the likelihood of re-offending.
- Tyrell was working as a block-layer in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, and was residing with his employer.
- Charges
- Tyrell pleaded guilty to harassment offences under Coco's Law.
- The offences were charged under Section 4 of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020.
- When
- The offences relate to August 2022.
- The District Court guilty pleas related to offences on four different dates.
- The article is dated 1 February 2026 in the tracker, but its published text shows 16 February 2026.
- Sentence
- Tyrell was given a four-month jail term and a separate four-month suspended sentence.
- The judge said a custodial sentence was warranted and inevitable.
- On appeal, the custodial sentence and the suspended sentence were each increased from four to five months.
- The suspended sentence is suspended for two years on a €100 personal bond.
- In court
- Tyrell took a severity-only appeal to Kilkenny Circuit Court.
- The judge said the conduct caused huge concern to Funchion's professional and personal life.
11 statements extracted from the articles
- whenThe offences relate to August 2022. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeTyrell was given a four-month jail term and a separate four-month suspended sentence under Section 4 of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020. (thejournal.ie)
- courtTyrell took a severity-only appeal to Kilkenny Circuit Court. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe District Court guilty pleas related to offences on four different dates. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge said the conduct caused huge concern to Funchion's professional and personal life. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe judge said a custodial sentence was warranted and inevitable. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe custodial sentence was increased from four months to five months. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe suspended sentence was increased from four months to five months, suspended for two years in a personal bond of €100. (thejournal.ie)
- otherTyrell pleaded guilty to the offences. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe probation report was not positive and noted concerns about the likelihood of re-offending. (thejournal.ie)
- otherTyrell was working as a block-layer in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, and was residing with his employer. (thejournal.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 1 Feb2026MEP Kathleen Funchion's ex-partner has prison sentence increased for offences under Coco’s Law
Reports the outcome of a severity-only appeal: the custodial sentence and the suspended sentence were each increased from four to five months, with the suspended sentence suspended for two years on a €100 personal bond. Also includes the victim's and the probation report's context.
convicted, Sean Tyrell, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Sean Tyrell