Ireland Suspended sentence for man over threat to kill Taoiseach
Cory O'Connor, a 32-year-old man of Battery Heights, Athlone, was charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm to Taoiseach Micheál Martin over a message sent at around 4pm on 22 October 2025 from his own social media account to the Taoiseach's Facebook account. The message also threatened Tánaiste Simon Harris and his family. O'Connor was brought before Athlone District Court, where he pleaded guilty to threatening to kill the Taoiseach. On 10 June 2026, Judge Vincent Deane sentenced him to six months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered him to stay off social media for the duration of the suspended sentence.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced10 Jun
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- The threatening message was the only message O'Connor sent to the Taoiseach.
- The message also threatened Tánaiste Simon Harris and his family.
- Where
- O'Connor, of Battery Heights, Athlone, is the man charged in the case.
- When
- The threatening message was sent at around 4pm on 22 October 2025.
- Cause
- The message was sent from O'Connor's own social media platform to the Taoiseach's Facebook account.
- Charges
- O'Connor was charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm to Micheál Martin.
- Investigation
- Detective Garda Bryan Kelly gave evidence to Athlone District Court outlining the contents of the message.
- In court
- O'Connor pleaded guilty at Athlone District Court to threatening to kill the Taoiseach.
- Defence solicitor Mark Cooney said O'Connor entered his plea at the earliest opportunity and made admissions.
- A letter of apology written by O'Connor was handed to the court.
- Sentence
- Judge Vincent Deane sentenced O'Connor to six months in prison, suspended for two years, on 10 June 2026.
- O'Connor must stay off social media for the duration of the suspended sentence.
10 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe message was the only one O'Connor sent. (rte.ie)
- whatThe message also threatened Tánaiste Simon Harris and his family. (rte.ie)
- whereO'Connor lives at Battery Heights, Athlone. (rte.ie)
- whenThe threatening message was sent at around 4pm on 22 October 2025. (rte.ie)
- causeThe threat was sent from O'Connor's social media platform to the Taoiseach's Facebook account. (rte.ie)
- chargeO'Connor was charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm to Micheál Martin. (rte.ie)
- courtO'Connor pleaded guilty to threatening to kill the Taoiseach. (rte.ie)
- courtDefence solicitor Mark Cooney said O'Connor had entered a plea at the earliest opportunity and made admissions. (rte.ie)
- sentenceJudge Vincent Deane sentenced O'Connor to six months in prison, suspended for two years. (rte.ie)
- sentenceO'Connor must stay off social media for the duration of the suspended sentence. (rte.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 10 Jun2026Suspended sentence for man over threat to kill Taoiseach
Reports the sentencing of Cory O'Connor for a threatening message sent to the Taoiseach's Facebook account, including his apology and the court's comments.
convicted, Cory O'Connor, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Cory O'Connorvictim, Micheál Martin, irish (judged from name)Micheál Martin