Suspended sentence for Longford man who harassed and abused Fine Gael senator

An anti-vaccination protester who targeted a local politician in a series of “obscure, abusive and anonymous texts” has received a five months prison sentence, suspended for 18 months on his own bond of €250 at Longford District Court today (Tuesday, December 5).

David Larkin (41) of 33 Ard Na Cassa Lawns, Longford appeared before Judge Bernadette Owen charged with harassing Ballinalee based Senator Micheál Carrigy by text message, voicemail and on social media platform Facebook.

Mr Larkin had previously pleaded guilty to the charges of harassing Senator Carrigy on dates between December 20, 2021 and February 14, 2022 contrary to Section 10 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

Judge Bernadette Owens noted the probation report indicated that the defendant was at a moderate risk of reoffending.

A probation bond was not adequate to address the concerns of the court, she said.

Mr Larkin was given credit for his guilty plea and no previous convictions.

Judge Owens also imposed additional restrictions on Mr Larkin.

He was warned that he must not enter within 1km of the injured party's residence for a period of 5 years. He is prohibited from encroaching on New Street and St Joseph's Road, Longford for a period of two years. He is not to communicate with injured party for five years.

Garda Sergeant Mark Mahon told the court that the injured party took particular exception to threats being made to his wife and family, in addition to himself.

At an earlier court appearance in September, Solicitor Frank Gearty said his client has “engaged in a positive and meaningful way” with a consultant psychologist and is “making progress”. 

Mr Gearty said it would be helpful if the court had a full up-to-date psychiatric report and he asked to have legal aid extended to cover such a report.

“My client knows he has a serious case to answer. A psychiatric report will assist the court significantly,” Mr Gearty said.

The defendant sent a series of “obscure” messages to the politician's phone. The messages included texts: “You are going to the train station, there will be no mercy”, “All you scumbag politicians will be going to the train station” and “Happy sh*t yourself day”.

More extended messages were: “All you scumbag politicians scrambling for the door, now that Boris has shit himself and caved into the people before he’s f**ked out of office and publicly hanged for his crimes. That’s what you have to look forward to bro. You’re going down just like the rest of the scum. Don’t think you’ll escape Michael, your time is soon up, enjoy it.”

Another sent during the pandemic said: “The mothers, the fathers, they ain't gonna wait for no international court case.

"They're just gonna ram your front door and tear all you politicians apart in your house. That's what you have to look forward to. Could be next week, could be next year but it's coming my friend and no amount of security will save ya then. Happy shit yourself Sunday.”

Details of a further five Facebook posts were also submitted.

The messages contained mentions of “going to the train station bucko” and another saying “No mercy for you Michael”.