Man to appear in court after Mary Lou McDonald and Garda Commissioner get death threats

A man in his 20s is set to appear in court after death threats were made against Mary Lou McDonald and Drew Harris via a social media video this Tuesday.

The Sinn Féin leader wrote on social media this Wednesday afternoon: "Last night a threat to kill me was issued online. The individual said he would shoot me dead."

She reported online that the threat was made against her, "ironically, while I was hosting a discussion on the need for zero tolerance when it comes to violence against women and girls."

Gardaí have confirmed: "The man (20s) arrested at a residence in South Dublin this Thursday morning as part of an investigation into threats made online against a public representative and a Senior Garda Officer has now been charged.

He has been charged under Section 5 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997 at a Garda Station in Dublin.

He is due to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ) this Friday, July 19, at 10:30am.

The video in question was published to X with threats also made to Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris. After the week's incidents in Coolock, the masked man endorses Dublin Independent Councillor, Gavin Pepper for president, and says: "Petrol bomb the f*ck out of the lot of them. Don't worry lads, we'll be down to help you." 

The video continues with further threats against the high profile figures: "Take that Drew Harris pr*ck, take his whole throat lads. He'll be getting shot before the end of the year. See Mary Lou, I'll shoot her myself for free."

In response, Mary Lou added: "This represents an escalation of targeted online abuse directed at me over the last year. It is totally unacceptable."