'I choose to forgive': Senator says he holds no bitterness towards man who sent death threats to him

Aubrey McCarthy, co-founder of homeless charity Tiglin, says the threats against him and his staff caused 'fear and disruption' as Dublin man is jailed for the offences

Aubrey McCarthy said he chose to forgive the person behind the threats because he believed in the redemptive power of compassion.

Senator Aubrey McCarthy has said death threats against him and staff at his homeless charity “cast a long shadow over our daily lives”, and made them wonder “if we were safe simply doing our jobs”.

A five-year sentence was handed down to Brian McCann, 40, of 50 Georgian Hamlet, Baldoyle, Dublin, following “serious, credible, and deeply disruptive” threats against the independent senator and staff at Tiglin, a homeless and addiction charity, in Wicklow.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of threatening to kill or cause serious harm and one count of harassment at Wicklow Circuit Court.

On February 22, 2022, McCann verbally made a threat that he would kill or cause serious harm to Mr McCarthy at the Tiglin rehabilitation centre in Ashford. On the same date, he made the same threat to Philip Thompson.

Between November 28 and December 24, 2021, he also harassed Mr McCarthy by posting comments on Tiglin's Facebook page.

He was sentenced to five years in prison, with the final three-and-a-half years suspended.

Victim impact statement

In a victim impact statement, Mr McCarthy said he forgave McCann.

“As the co-founder of a homelessness and addiction charity, my role has always been to advocate, to listen, and above all, to stand with the most marginalised in our society,” he said.

“I have always known that speaking out and working for change can attract opposition.

“But I never expected the fear and disruption that came when the threats became personal, direct, and credible, not just to me, but to my staff, my colleagues, and those who serve beside me in hope and purpose.

Numerous threats were received on social media, but it was only when my secretary received a phone call that frightened the wits out of her that I contacted the gardaí.

He said the threats did not just rattle a few nerves. 

"They struck at the heart of our work. They shook our sense of security. They cast a long shadow over our daily lives, moments of looking over shoulders, checking doors twice, and wondering if we were safe simply doing our jobs.

“On the advice of gardaí, myself and the Tiglin CEO have had to install alarms, cameras and full-time surveillance at our residences."

He said amid the fear, he found the individual behind the threats was struggling with significant mental health and addiction issues.

“This doesn’t excuse the actions, but it does add important context. As a society, I believe that we need to do more not just in crisis, but long before people reach breaking point. Our mental health system must be stronger, more compassionate, and far more accessible."

He said he chose to forgive the person behind the threats because he believed in the redemptive power of compassion.

“I believe that people can be unwell and still be loved. That they can do wrong, and still deserve a second chance, if they are willing to face their actions and get the help they need.

“I want to say clearly and publicly: I hold no bitterness toward the person involved. I choose to forgive. And I genuinely hope he receives the help and care he needs to find healing and stability."