Longford man who told senator "your time is soon up" knows he has "serious case to answer", court hears

David Larkin (41) of 33 Ard Na Cassa Lawns, Longford harassed Ballinalee based Senator Micheál Carrigy by text message, voicemail and on social media platform Facebook.

Mr Larkin has 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.

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 the defendant's next appointment is next week and he is taking his medication.

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. Mr Gearty said it will take “some months” to have it concluded.

The solicitor admitted that it “appears to be dragging out over a long time” but added that it was “heading in the right direction”.

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

Sergeant Conor McShane pointed out that the injured party was “anxious to have matters concluded.”

Judge Owens noted the matter was over a year before the court and said she appreciated the injured party experienced stress at its ongoing nature, however she said the case had “moved into a different state”.

Judge Owens said it would be premature to finalise matters in the absence of a psychological assessment.

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”.

Judge Owens remanded Mr Larkin on continuing bail to appear before Longford District court on December 5 at which time an , 2023.