Courts / Dublin / Report
Man avoids jail over threats to 'cut up' social workers
Summary
Fionn Costello, 35, pleaded guilty to publishing a threatening voice note in 2021 that said he would 'throw two social workers over a balcony and cut them up.' The message was sent to a woman who works as a social worker on 13 July 2021, and it also referenced another social worker. Garda Jean McDonald explained that Costello had contacted the woman to bring the message to her attention, but he claimed he had no intention of sending it to either woman. Costello admitted the messages were intimidating but said they were not meant for the recipients. He was arrested on 5 May 2022, pleaded guilty on 4 October, and has prior convictions for drug possession, public order and road traffic offences. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced him to four and a half months' imprisonment, suspended in its entirety, after noting the unusual nature of the case and the lack of intent to send the threats.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man avoids jail over threats to 'cut up' social workers. Charges or matters: the charges on October 4 of this year. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 1 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 13 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 13, 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 5, 2022 Incident
- October 4 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2023-12-06 Publication
Why: ' One of the women believed the threats were made because of their interactions with Costello's family on behalf of Tusla. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: the charges on October 4 of this year (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She sentenced him to a period of four and a half months' imprisonment but suspended the sentence in its entirety.
Places mentioned
Topics
Drugs Public Order Road Traffic Stage Sentence
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