Man Withdraws Appeal Against Severity Of Sentence After Threatening To Kill Simon Harris And Family

Offender issued a letter of apology to Harris. A 50-year-old man expressed remorse in court and wished he had never sent the message to the former Taoiseach

A man who threatened to kill or seriously harm Tánaiste Simon Harris and his family in a chilling Instagram message has been jailed after withdrawing an appeal against the severity of his sentence.

Patrick Grealish, of Garraí An Choirce, Lettermullen, Co Galway, admitted sending the threatening message to the Fine Gael leader on August 4th, 2024, when Harris was serving as Taoiseach.

The message warned that “they’re coming for YOU” before referencing the Wicklow politician’s wife and young children being “taken to the Wicklow Mountains”, ending with a popcorn emoji.

The threats sparked serious concern given Harris’ high-profile role in government and the fact the message directly referenced his family home life in Delagny, Co Wicklow.

The court previously heard that threats against public representatives have become increasingly common and can leave a lasting emotional impact on politicians and their loved ones.

Judge Fiona Lydon said during Grealish’s original sentencing hearing that such threats have a “harrowing impact” on victims and their families, particularly when spouses and children are drawn into abusive and violent online messaging.

At Galway Circuit Court on Thursday, Grealish withdrew his appeal against an eight-month sentence imposed earlier this year, with the final four months suspended.

Barrister Ernie Whyte, instructed by solicitor Michael Cunningham, said the 50-year-old had decided not to proceed with the appeal after arranging care for his 87-year-old mother, who suffers from dementia. The court heard Grealish is an only child and had been acting as her full-time carer.

Judge Brian O’Callaghan struck out the appeal and affirmed the original district court sentence. The suspended portion of the sentence remains subject to strict conditions, including that Grealish keep the peace, remain of good behaviour and abstain from alcohol and intoxicants for one year.

Detective Sergeant Eamon O’Neill previously told the court the threatening message was sent from an Instagram account named “Paddyjoe142” and was intended to make Harris believe the threat would be carried out.

A probation report presented to the court assessed Grealish as a low risk of reoffending. It stated he had been emotionally unstable at the time, with alcohol exacerbating his behaviour amid personal grief following the deaths of two family friends.

The court also heard Grealish suffers from anxiety and depression, had stopped drinking alcohol and had written a letter of apology to Harris expressing remorse for his actions.

Despite those mitigating factors, the case has again highlighted growing concern around threats and intimidation directed at public representatives and the toll such abuse can take on politicians and their families behind closed doors.