Suspended sentence for Longford man who sent 'grossly offensive' messages to Junior Health Minister Mary Butler

A Longford man who was previously convicted of harassing and abusing a Fine Gael senator has received a second suspended sentence after pleading guilty to sending “grossly offensive” messages to Fianna Fáil Junior Health Minister Mary Butler.

David Larkin, 33 Ardnacassa Lawns, Longford, was handed down a three month suspended prison sentence at a sitting of Longford District Court on Tuesday, January 9.

The 43-year-old was charged with two counts of sending a message that was grossly offensive, indecent or menacing to the Waterford TD.

The court heard that both offences occurred on January 18 and 19, 2022. Mr Larkin previously pleaded guilty on December 5, 2023.

For the State, Garda Sergeant Mark Mahon said the defendant had cooperated fully and had made admissions in relation to sending the text messages. 

The defendant was “vehemently opposed to the Covid 19 vaccination programme” which prompted him to send the messages, Sgt Mahon outlined. 

A copy of the messages was handed into court but not read out. Sgt Mahon confirmed the victim was the Minister for Mental Health and Older People.

A victim impact statement was also handed in to Judge Bernadette Owens.

"I do consider whether I would walk alone in areas anymore."

Minister of State Mary Butler gave her reaction to #Drivetime after a Longford man recieved a 3-month suspended sentence related to "grossly offensive" threats made against her. pic.twitter.com/yzxzrVypPh

— RTÉ Radio 1 (@RTERadio1) January 10, 2024

Defence solicitor Frank Gearty said his client was remorseful and wanted to issue a public apology to the victim. 

Having moved from Dublin to Longford a number of years ago, the defendant is now working in the catering industry. He worked abroad for a number of years. 

“He assures the victim he bears no malice towards her and regrets what happened,” Mr Gearty said. 

While the defendant retains his views about the “efficacy of the vaccine programme”, he accepts it was “was not right to do what he did,” Mr Gearty said. 

An assurance was given by Mr Gearty that the defendant would make no further contact with the victim. 

The defendant is continuing to engage with a psychologist and probation services and was doing his best to turn his life around, his solicitor said. 

Mr Gearty noted that the offences before the court pre-dated the offences involving threatening messages to Fine Gael Senator Micheál Carrigy, for which he received a suspended prison sentence. 

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“He has great respect for the Constitution and the role you play under that,” Mr Gearty told Judge Owens. 

Judge Owens said the court was obligated to give Mr Larkin credit for entering a guilty plea and for co-operating with the garda investigation.

She also noted that the charges before the court were not “at the same level” as the case involving Senator Carrigy.

The three months’ prison sentence was imposed, suspended for 12 months on the defendant’s own bond of €250. 

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