Man sentenced for harassing senator and threatening his wife and children

The man has also been ordered to refrain from any form of communication with Senator Micheál Carrigy for a period of five years

Senator Micheál Carrigy said: "A direct threat was made against my children. This cannot be accepted in our society. A direct threat was made against my home. This cannot be accepted in our society.” 

A man charged with the harassment of a Longford senator, via social media, text and voicemail, has been given a five-month prison sentence, which was suspended for a period of 18 months.

David Larkin (43), 33 Ardnacassa Lawns, Longford, appeared before Judge Bernadette Owens at Longford District Court on Wednesday morning, where a probation report and psychiatric report were furnished to the court.

In his victim impact statement to the court in January of this year, Senator Micheál Carrigy said that both he and his wife are “hard-working citizens of the State who pay our taxes”.

"We are entitled to live our lives without having been threatened, but most importantly we should not have the burden of having to worry about our children when they are in their own home, their school or at other activities,” he said.

"A direct threat was made against my children. This cannot be accepted in our society. A direct threat was made against my home. This cannot be accepted in our society.” 

On Wednesday morning in court, Sergeant Mark Mahon, for the State, re-iterated the concerns of Senator Carrigy and drew attention to the effect the offending has had on the senator's young family and his wife.

“The victim has serious concerns regarding the threats made to his wife, his family and his home,” he said.

Frank Gearty, for the defence, said Mr Larkin “repeats his apology and says it will never happen again”. Sgt Mahon, however, told the court there was never any apology received by Mr Carrigy.

“I do know that on the 17th of January, in his mitigation, Mr Gearty outlined to me some of Mr Larkin's personal circumstances and I have a note that he regrets fully his actions and the consequences on the victim,” Judge Owens replied. “It may not have been a formal apology but it was given in the context of mitigation.” 

Sentencing

Referring to the final probation report and the psychiatric report furnished to the court, Judge Owens noted a plea of guilty entered in October 2022, and a lack of previous convictions, for which credit must be given.

At the initial stages of working with the probation services, she noted, the probation office canvassed the possibility of victim awareness work with Mr Larkin. This was outlined to Mr Carrigy but he did not wish to engage.

Mr Larkin is now engaging with local psychiatric services and has expressed his remorse for what he has done and the effect his behaviour has had, Judge Owens accepted. However, she noted, the probation report states Mr Larkin still has the views that gave rise to these offences, and has put him at moderate risk of reoffending.

The probation service recommended 12 months of probation supervision. However, Judge Owens said she was “not satisfied a probation bond is enough to address the serious circumstances before the court”.

She proceeded to convict Mr Larkin, sentencing him to five months' imprisonment, which she suspended for 18 months. “If he doesn't continue to engage with the probation and mental health services this will be re-entered before me,” she said.

Mr Larkin has also been ordered, under section 10 (3) of the Non-fatal Offences Against the Person Act, to refrain from any form of communication with Senator Carrigy for a period of five years.

He is not to approach within one kilometre of Senator Carrigy's home for a period of five years, and he is not to approach Senator Carrigy's office in Longford town for a period of two years.

Mr Larkin, in court on Wednesday morning, also entered guilty pleas to two separate charges of sending messages that were grossly offensive, indecent or menacing.

Those incidents took place on January 18, 2022, and January 19, 2022, and are due to re-appear before the court on January 9, 2024, when a victim impact statement is expected to be furnished to the court.