Man charged with making threats to kill couple and kidnap their children

A man has been charged with threatening to kill a Donegal couple and with threatening to kidnap their children.

The man, who is aged in his 30s and cannot be named for legal reasons,

It is alleged that a man received a call on a date in 2021 and the accused made a threat.

Sergeant Gerard Dalton told Letterkenny District Court that it is alleged that the accused threatened to kill the man and his wife if a statement of complaint over an alleged rape was not withdrawn. It is further alleged that the accused told the couple that their children would be kidnapped.

Solicitor for the accused, Mr Kieran O’Gorman, said that seven witnesses would be required and a date would be needed for a hearing as the case was being contested.

Mr O’Gorman said that the only evidence is an ‘alleged conversation on the phone’. “The only evidence is an allegation about a conversation in which words were said,” Mr O’Gorman said.

Judge Éiteáin Cunningham said that the allegations were of a serious nature. Taking everything into consideration, Judge Cunningham said she was refusing jurisdiction in the matter - meaning it is now likely to be heard before a higher court.

The case was adjourned until July 7 to allow for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).