Judge denies bail to man charged with threatening Mary Lou McDonald and Garda Commissioner

A 28-year-old man has appeared in court charged with making a death threat against Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald.

Richard McGreevy, of Whitechurch Place, Rathfarnham, appeared at Dublin District Court on Friday morning.

He is charged with making a threat to kill or cause serious harm to Ms McDonald at Whitechurch Place on July 16, intending her to believe it would be carried out.

He also faces one other unrelated charge, failing to appear before Dublin District Court on a previous occasion.

McGreevy appeared in court wearing a grey jumper.

Detective Sergeant Gareth Kane told the court the threats were broadcast on TikTok.

Making an application for bail, Kevin Tunney, defending, said his client lived alone with his two dogs in social housing.

He said McGreevy risked losing his accommodation if he was in custody for a long time.

He added his client had had a difficult childhood, losing his father and being abandoned by his mother when he was three years old.

Judge Paula Murphy refused the application.

She remanded McGreevy in custody until his next appearance at Cloverhill District Court on July 26.

The video in question was published to TikTok. After the week's incidents in Coolock, the masked man endorses Dublin Independent Councillor, Gavin Pepper for president, and says: "Petrol bomb the f*ck out of the lot of them. Don't worry lads, we'll be down to help you." 

The video continues with further threats against the high profile figures: "Take that Drew Harris pr*ck, take his whole throat lads. He'll be getting shot before the end of the year. See Mary Lou, I'll shoot her myself for free."

In response, Mary Lou McDonald added: "This represents an escalation of targeted online abuse directed at me over the last year. It is totally unacceptable."