Man who threatened to kill Tánaiste withdraws appeal of jail sentence
A Conamara man who threatened to kill or cause serious harm to Tánaiste Simon Harris and his family in an Instagram message has been jailed after withdrawing an appeal against the severity of his sentence.
Patrick Grealish (50) pleaded guilty last year at Derrynea District Court to one charge of making an online threat to kill or cause serious harm to the Fine Gael leader and his family.
The message was sent on the social media platform Instagram on August 4, 2024 when the Wicklow TD was Taoiseach.
At the sentence hearing in Conamara in February, 2026, Judge Fiona Lydon imposed an eight-month sentence on Grealish of 16 Garraí An Choirce, Lettermullen, Galway. She suspended the final four months.
The judge said threats of violence against public figures have become more frequent and have a “harrowing impact” on victims and their families.
Grealish – who has 70 previous convictions – appeared at the district court appeals sitting of Galway Circuit Court on Thursday, June 4.
Barrister Ernie Whyte, instructed by defence solicitor Michael Cunningham, confirmed the defendant was withdrawing his appeal.
He said Grealish, an only child and full-time carer for his mother, withdrew the appeal after arranging for someone to care for the 87-year-old, who has dementia.
Circuit Court Judge Brian O’Callaghan struck out the appeal and affirmed the order of the district court.
Four months of the sentence were suspended on the condition that he keep the peace, be of good behaviour and refrain from alcohol or other intoxicants.
Grealish entered his own bond of €250 to abide by those conditions for one year.
The defendant became emotional when he thanked the judge before being led away to commence his sentence.
“Best of luck, Mr. Grealish. Hopefully, your time will be short,” Judge O’Callaghan said.
Detective Sergeant Eamon O’Neill previously outlined that on August 4, 2024, a threatening message was sent to Mr Harris from the Instagram account ‘Paddyjoe142’.
The threat – intending Simon Harris believed it would be carried out – was contrary to Section 5 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.
Sgt O’Neill said the message included a threat to “go away you FCKTARD WEASEL” and “They’re coming for YOU Altho I thinks it’s your poor wife and kids They’ll take to the Wicklow Mountains. Stay tuned.” The message ended with a ‘popcorn emoji’, Sgt O’Neill said.
A Probation Report said Grealish was at low risk of re-offending within 12 months.
It said he was “emotionally unstable . . . exacerbated by consumption of alcohol” when he sent the threat around the same time two family friends had died. He suffered anxiety and depression but was engaging with his GP.
He no longer drinks alcohol, and wrote a letter of apology to Harris.
The 50-year-old likened his comments to adding two cents to a conversation, “without any thought for impact or consequences”.
Grealish expressed remorse to the probation officer and wished he had never sent the message.