Woman ‘in fear’ over ‘grossly offensive’ social media promise ‘to get’ her family

A Mullingar man has appeared in court charged with posting a “grossly offensive” video of a young mother and threatening “to get” her family.

Anthony Dinnegan (35) with an address at Leney, Ballinalack, Westmeath, was charged in connection to an incident on April 12, 2024 at Chestnut Close, Royal Canal, Mullingar, Westmeath.

Sgt Orla Keenan said the alleged injured party contacted gardaí to claim she had received a message via Facebook from the accused which contained a video threatening both her and her family.

The court was told the contents of the message left the woman “in fear”.

Sgt Keenan said the recording had since been passed on to gardaí for the purposes of an investigation, which the state will claim identified the woman and her family.

The prosecution’s court presenter said though no threat was carried out, the woman told gardaí: “He threatened my husband and he threatened my kids.”

Mr Dinnegan was subsequently charged with distributing or publishing a “threatening or grossly offensive communication” about his alleged victim with “intent to cause harm”.

That charge was brought under Section 4 of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020.

A second charge was also served on the accused, where Mr Dinnegan allegedly made a threat to “kill or cause serious harm” to the woman under Section 5 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

In response to the State evidence, Judge Owens queried the basis of the threat to kill or cause serious harm charge.

Sgt Keenan replied by saying the grounds for that charge were rooted in the direct evidence of the woman, who stated: “He threatened he was going to get them and get their property.”

Louis Kiernan, for the accused, said he had received disclosure from the state concerning certain Facebook material and, as such, sought time to examine its contents further.

No plea or indication of one was indicated as Judge Owens accepted jurisdiction.

Mr Dinnegan was remanded on bail to appear at Mullingar District Court on June 11.