Donegal man accused of petrol bomb threat and covert filming appears in court

A Donegal man who allegedly threatened to petrol bomb a house and filmed two people through a garden hedge has appeared in court.

Brian McGee was before Judge Ciaran Liddy at Letterkenny District Court on two harassment charges.

Detective Garda David Anthony Leahy gave evidence of meeting McGee - a 67-year-old, of Cois Abhainn, St Johnston - by appointment for the purpose of charge.

McGee was charged with two similar offences relating to two separate injured parties.

It is alleged that on dates between May 1, 2023 and July 13, 2024 at locations within County Donegal that he did harass the two people.

The charges are contrary to section 10 (1) and 9 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 as substituted by section 23 of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2023.

Detective Garda Leahy told the court that he cautioned McGee and handed him a true copy of the charge sheets. The accused made no reply to the charge.

There were no Garda objections to bail.

The court heard that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed summary disposal subject to the judge accepting jurisdiction.

Detective Garda Leahy told Judge Liddy that it was alleged that McGee made anonymous reports to various agencies, including Donegal County Council, ESB and the Department of Social Welfare, relating to the two complainants.

It was also alleged that McGee made recordings of the two people through a garden hedge. 

McGee is also accused of threatening to petrol bomb a house and with taking a parcel from the front of a house.

Bail was granted on condition that McGee stay away from a specified address in Donegal and that he stay away from the two complainants and have no contact with them through any means.

Legal aid was granted to solicitor Mr Frank Dorrian and the case was adjourned until April when McGee will elect whether to plead guilty or seek a hearing date.