Westmeath Man Who Made Threats To Taoiseach And Tanaiste Walks Free From Court

Thursday, 11 June 2026 at 11:35

32 year old Cory O'Connor, Battery Heights, Athlone received a six month prison sentence suspended for two years.

A Westmeath man who made violent threats towards both the Taoiseach and the Tanaiste has walked free from court after receiving a ban from all social media for two years.

The Irish Independent is reporting 32 year old Cory O'Connor of Battery Heights in Athlone received a suspended six month sentence after threatening to put a knife to Micheal Martin's throat.

Mr O'Connor pleaded guilty to threatening to kill or cause serious harm to the Taoiseach in Athlone District Court last month.

His Facebook messages also threatened Simon Harris along with his wife and children.

O'Connor's defence handed in a letter of apology in which he accepted he lost sight of the impact his messages would have.

His solicitor added that he has since become a pariah, and is out of work and facing a difficult financial situation.

Judge Vincent Deane said O'Connor's actions were a threat to democracy by "putting people off taking part in public life".

He handed down a six month prison sentence, suspended for two years and ordered the Athlone man to stay off all social media for the duration of those two years.