Man who talked about ‘slicing Irish babies’ to represent himself in court
Portlaoise Courthouse
A 50-YEAR-OLD man accused of publishing a grossly offence communication on TikTok about slicing ‘Irish babies, kids and you’ is to represent himself in further court proceedings.
Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick had initially been assigned to represent Beniamin Petre of no fixed abode.
She told Judge Andrew Cody at Portlaoise District Court last week that the accused “doesn’t wish to retain my services”.
Asked by Judge Cody if that was the case, Mr Petre replied: “I am representing myself. I didn’t ask her to discharge herself. I said she was no good to me. I can represent myself all the way.” Judge Cody advised Mr Petre: “You may be entitled to free legal aid.” Sergeant JJ Kirby applied to remand the accused in custody for two weeks, to allow time to receive directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Asked by Judge Cody if he would agree to a two-week remand, Mr Petre said: “Yes, no problem. You can stretch that out to four weeks if you wish.” Judge Cody remanded Mr Petre in custody to appear again by video link at Portlaoise District Court on 19 June.
Before the video link to the court was disconnected from the prison, Mr Petre told Judge Cody to “have a nice day”.
Mr Petre is charged with publishing a grossly offence communication on TikTok with intent to cause harm, contrary to section 4(1) and (3) of the on 24 May at an unknown location in Dublin.
He is further charged that on the same date at an unknown location in Dublin he used or engaged in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace contrary to section 6A of the as inserted by section 6(c) of the .
