Courts / Dublin / Report

Council worker with mental health issues avoids jail over threats

Summary

In July 2018, Gary Kelly, a 41‑year‑old plumber for Dublin City Council, pleaded guilty to threatening to kill two colleagues, John Maher and Brian Fitzpatrick, by saying he would "get a bullet" on them. The threats were made in January 2018 while Kelly was experiencing severe mental health problems, including depression and psychosis, and he believed he was being followed by drones and ISIS. Gardaí arrested him at his home, where his wife had expressed concern about his mental health. After a probation report was presented, Judge Melanie Greally sentenced Kelly to a fully suspended three‑year term, citing the seriousness of the threats and the lasting impact on the victims. The sentence was suspended on the condition that Kelly remain in good behaviour, attend all mental‑health appointments, and have no contact with the victims or their families for three years.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Council worker with mental health issues avoids jail over threats. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• 2019-07-26 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence

Related court reports

• Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
• Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
• Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
• 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
• Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
• 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'

Read the original CNI report