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Dublin Woman Sentenced to Six Months for Online Threats to Tánaiste Simon Harris

She was freed on €200 appeal bail pending a Circuit Court appeal.

Overview

  • Sandra Barry, 40, pleaded guilty in Dublin District Court to sending threatening Instagram messages under the 2020 Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act.
  • Judge Michele Finan imposed a custodial sentence after hearing that the messages targeted Mr Harris and referenced harm to his family.
  • Detective Garda Richard Markey detailed coded terms such as “butlet,” which investigators said were used to evade filters, and outlined a warrant-led inquiry and a September 2 home search.
  • In a victim impact statement, Simon Harris said he was sickened and angered by the danger and distress caused to his family.
  • The defence cited remorse, cooperation, prior minor convictions, and a recent change in anti-depression medication, but the judge declined to suspend the sentence.