Man appears in court over alleged post on social media site
Portlaoise Courthouse
A MAN was brought before a special sitting of Portlaoise District Court this morning charged with offences relating to a message he allegedly posted on his social media page.
Beniamin Petre of no fixed abode was charged that on 24 May at an unknown location in Dublin the he published “a grossly offence communication on Tik Tox social media about slicing “Irish babies, kids and you,” with intent to cause harm, which is contrary to Section 4(1) and (3) of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020.
He was further charged that on the same date at an unknown location in Dublin the he used or engaged in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace or being reckless as to whether a breach of the peace may be occasioned, and demonstrating, at the time of committing the offence or immediately before or after, hatred towards the people of Ireland, that hatred being on account of their membership or presumed membership of a group defined by reference to or being motivated by hatred, wholly or partly, towards a group of persons being defined by reference to Irish people, contrary to Section 6A of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, as inserted by Section 6(c) of the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024.
Detective Garda Mark Russell said he arrested the 50-year old defendant on 28 May at Rathmiles, Abbeyleix under Section 5 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1977 and conveyed him to Abbeyleix Garda Station where he was detained.
He said when charged and cautioned his reply to first charge was, “I can’t say anything, as you are not listening Mark.”
In reply to the second cautioned charge he replied: “I have nothing to say.”
Det. Russell said that he was seeking directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions and that there may be further charges.
Defending solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said that her client was not seeking bail and was consenting to be remanded in custody.
Judge Andrew Cody remanded Mr Petre in custody to appear again at Portlaoise District Court on 5 June by video link.
He also marked on the detention order that the defendant receive urgent medical assent while in custody.
