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A Dublin mother has been sentenced to six months in prison after sending a series of threatening and grossly offensive social media messages to An Tánaiste Mr Simon Harris.
Ms Sandra Barry, aged 40 years, with an address at Tor an Rí, Balgaddy, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin District Court to sending a “threatening or grossly offensive communication” with intent to cause harm, contrary to the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020.
The court heard that the messages were sent on August 30th last,, 2025, with the injured party receiving messages on Instagram the following day. Gardaí identified Ms Barry following an investigation by the Garda Special Detective Unit, during which a warrant was obtained to examine the relevant account. The court was told some terms were used in an apparent attempt to bypass online safety filters.
In mitigation, the defence said the messages were sent during “three minutes of madness”, and that Ms Barry was now remorseful, and that she had since written a letter of apology. The court also heard she claimed to have no recollection of sending the messages and that she had recently changed anti-depressant medication.
Passing sentence, Judge Ms Michele Finan said such offences, committed “behind closed doors”, can have a catastrophic impact on recipients and a custodial sentence was warranted.
Ms Barry was granted €200 appeal bail after sentencing.
So what are the rules under Irish Law with regards to Hate Crime.
In Ireland, the laws governing hate-related offences are primarily set out in two pieces of legislation that distinguish between hate crimes (criminal acts targeting specific groups) and hate speech (inciting others to hatred).
(1) Hate Crimes: Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024.
This landmark legislation commenced on December 31st, 2024, marking the first time Ireland has had specific statutory provisions for hate crimes.
New “Aggravated” Offences: The Act creates new versions of existing crimes, such as assault, harassment, and criminal damage, that are “aggravated by hatred”.
Proof Requirements: A crime is considered a hate crime if the prosecution proves:
Motivation: The perpetrator was motivated (wholly or partly) by hatred towards a protected group.
Demonstration: Alternatively, a “demonstration test” allows for prosecution if the perpetrator demonstrated hatred (e.g., through slurs or gestures) at the time of the offence.
Sentencing: Offences proven to have a hate element attract significantly higher maximum penalties than their non-aggravated counterparts. If hatred is not proven, the individual can still be convicted of the basic criminal act (e.g., simple assault).
(2) Hate Speech: Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989.
While the 2024 Act focuses on physical acts, “stirring up” hatred remains governed by this 1989 Act.
It is an offence to communicate (spoken, written, or broadcast) material that is threatening, abusive, or insulting and intended or likely to stir up hatred against a protected group.
Newer plans to replace this with updated hate speech laws were shelved in late 2024, due to a lack of consensus on free speech protections.
(3) Protected Characteristics.
Under current Irish law, “hatred” is defined by reference to the following protected characteristics:
- Race and Color.
- Nationality and National or Ethnic Origin (including the Traveller community).
- Religion (including absence of belief).
- Sexual Orientation.
- Gender (including gender expression and identity).
- Sex Characteristics (physical/biological features).
- Disability.
- Descent (e.g., ancestry).
(4) Aggravating Factors in General Sentencing
For any other crime not specifically listed as an “aggravated” offence in the 2024 Act, judges are required to treat evidence of a hate motive as an aggravating factor during sentencing. The court must state on the record that the sentence was increased due to this hate element.
It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Wednesday 17th December 2025, of Mrs Mary O’Dwyer, Kilnamanagh, Co. Dublin and formerly of Moycarkey, Thurles, Co. Tipperary
Pre-deceased by her loving husband Eddie, her sisters Sally and Eileen and her brother John; Mrs O’Dwyer passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family.
Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving daughter Helen, son Liam, sisters Margaret and Statia, sons-in-law John and Tommy, daughter-in-law Annemarie, grandchildren, Laura, Kevin, Hannah, Emma, Matthew, Sophie, Ryan and Callum, great-grandchild Ruby, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.
Requiescat in Pace.
Funeral Arrangements.
The earthly remains of Mrs O’Dwyer will repose at Fanagans Funeral Home, Main Street, Tallaght Village, Dublin, (Eircode D24 Y44A), on Friday afternoon, December 19th, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm same evening.
Requiem Mass will be offered for Mrs O’Dwyer on Saturday morning, December 20th, at 11:00am in St Kevin’s Church, Treepark Road, Kilnamanagh, Dublin, 24, (Eircode D24 V8W8), followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in Mount Venus Cemetery, Mount Venus Rd, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16.
For those persons who would wish to attend Requiem Mass for Mrs O’Dwyer, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.
The extended O’Dwyer family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.
The Irish Government has agreed to nominate Mr. Mark Dunne, SC and Mr. Micheál O’Connell, SC as Ordinary Judges of the High Court.
Biographical Details of nominees:
Mr. Mark Dunne, SC
Educated at University College Dublin and the Honourable Society of King’s Inns.
Called to the Bar in 1998. Called to the Inner Bar in 2019.
Legal practice mostly included Administrative Law, Commercial/Chancery, Dispute Resolution, General Common Law, Judicial Review and Tort & Personal Injury Law.
Mr. Micheál O’Connell, SC
Educated at Trinity College Dublin and the Honourable Society of King’s Inns.
Called to the Bar in 1999.
Called to the Inner Bar in 2018.
Legal practice mostly included Commercial/Chancery, General Practice, Conveyancing & Property Law.
One nomination will fill a current vacancy and the second nomination is contingent upon a vacancy arising on 27th day of December 2025.
The current vacancy arises due to the elevation of the Hon. Mr. Justice Alexander Owens to the Court of Appeal, on the 29th day of September 2025.
The reasonably anticipated second vacancy arises due to the scheduled retirement of Judge Ms Mary Ellen Ring on the 27th day of December 2025.
Recall of several batches of Quail.ie Always Fresh 20 Quail Eggs due to the possible presence of Salmonella.
Alert Summary Dated Thursday, December 18th, 2025
Category 1: For Action.
Alert Notification: 2025.71.
Product Identification: Quail.ie Always Fresh 20 Quail Eggs.
Batch Code: All best before dates up to and including 10 Jan 2026.
Country Of Origin: Ireland.
Message: The above batches of Quail.ie Always Fresh 20 Quail Eggs are being recalled due to the possible presence of Salmonella.
Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale.
Nature Of Danger: People infected with Salmonella typically develop symptoms between 12 and 36 hours after infection, but this can range between 6 and 72 hours. The most common symptom is diarrhoea, which can sometimes be bloody. Other symptoms may include fever, headache, and abdominal cramps. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days. Diarrhoea can occasionally be severe enough to require hospital admission. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.
Action Required: Caterers Retailers and Customers:
Retailers: Same are requested to remove the implicated batches from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale.
Caterers: Same should not use the implicated batches.
Consumers: Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batches.
Wishing all athletes and their families a very Happy Christmas and a healthy 2026.
Basketball training has been moving forward most satisfactorily this season so far. We have huge numbers turning out each week for exercising, ball skills and basketball training.
Well done to each of them and their families and carers for transporting the athletes to every session. We welcomed a group of new volunteers this season and they have blended in very nicely with our existing group.
Thanks to all the volunteers and Mr Martin Hehir, at the Presentation Sports Hall, for their support.
We held our annual Christmas party in Meitheal on Wednesday, December 10th last and a great night was had by all present.
A big thank you to Linda and Meitheal Staff, Mr Paul Scully from Photo Station who looked after the photographs on the night, the volunteers who prepared the gifts and assisted at the party and all the athlete members who danced and sang on the night.
Training resumes on Wednesday January 7th, and in the meantime a very Happy Christmas to everyone associated with Thurles Special Olympics Basketball Club.
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