Govt Chief Whip 'frightened' following online threats

The Government Chief Whip has told a court she was "frightened" for her personal safety and had to reassess her movements after she was allegedly subjected to threats online.

Hildegarde Naughton was giving evidence at the hearing of a case against Daragh O'Flaherty.

The 47-year-old, with an address at New Estate, Clarinbridge, Co Galway, denies committing offences, contrary to Section 4 of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and related offences Act, 2020.

It is alleged that on 9 and 10 January of this year, he distributed or published a threatening or grossly offensive communication about Ms Naughton, with intent to cause harm.

He faces similar charges in relation to alleged communications about Fine Gael Senator, Sean Kyne.

In her evidence to Galway District Court, Ms Naughton said that on 11 January she received a WhatsApp message from Mr Kyne with a video, allegedly made by Mr O'Flaherty, and advising her to be careful.

The court was shown the video, posted online on 10 January, in which a man alleged to be Mr O'Flaherty, says if it is six stitches for him, then it is six stitches for a number of named Galway politicians, including Ms Naughton and Mr Kyne.

Mr O'Flaherty has alleged during the hearing that he received the stitches because he was assaulted by gardaí in Dublin.

Asked by prosecuting barrister, Geri Silke BL, how she felt after seeing the video, Ms Naughton said: "I was frightened and worried for my own personal safety and I had to reassess my movements and the movements of my staff"

She said she took the alleged threats "extremely seriously" and decided not to attend an event in Galway Cathedral due to fear for her safety and the safety of the public.

The court also viewed another video, posted online on 9 January, in which a man, alleged to be Mr O'Flaherty, said he was coming to Galway and that number of politicians, including Ms Naughton and Mr Kyne were "going to need the police, you're going to need the ambulance and you are probably going to need the fire brigade".

Asked about her reaction, Ms Naughton said: "I was very shaken. I didn't feel safe going about my daily, ordinary life.

"I felt very unsure for my personal safety as a citizen of this country, but also as a public representative."

Under cross-examination, from Mr O'Flaherty, Ms Naughton was asked about the stitches comment and why she felt fear.

She said: "The fact you said you had stitches on your face and you were going to cause me to have stitches also".

Mr O'Flaherty said that comment was not specifically made about Ms Naughton, who replied that that is how she interpreted the comments.

Mr O'Flaherty asked Ms Naughton about a number of matters including: the possible effects of the Covid-19 vaccine on gardaí; the impact of climate change on excess mortality in Ireland; the purchase of Covid-19 vaccines; the blood products scandal; the number of reported vaccine injuries; vaccine passports; the South African government's vaccine policy and the Pfizer pharmaceutical company.

In reply to one question, Ms Naughton said Covid-19 was a "global emergency" and the Irish Government had done its best in a very challenging situation.

Mr O'Flaherty put it to Ms Naughton the fear she felt was not a result of the videos but of the public's response to the Government's handling of Covid-19.

Ms Naughton said the fear she felt was a "direct result" of the videos.

"I am fearful for my own personal safety. That is why I am here in court today," she added.

On a number of occasions, Judge Patricia Cronin told the accused he must keep his questions relevant to the case before the court.

She also warned Mr O'Flaherty she would consider holding him in contempt of court if he continued to interrupt her.

At the outset of the case, Detective Garda John Kerrigan said he was assigned to investigate the matter after Galway West TD Catherine Connolly notified gardaí of messages posted online.

Det Kerrigan said Ms Connolly notified gardaí of the existence of a video showed on the X platform and the video allegedly contained threats against elected representatives in the Galway area.

In the January 9 video, a man alleged to be Mr O'Flaherty, said he wanted to address the gardaí, stating "my natural rights comes from God, not the government, you need to know this" and "natural rights supersede acts of law".

The speaker also states there was no emergency and no pandemic.

He says it was a "fake pandemic ... to do with the acquisition of power and nothing to do with the common good".

Proceedings resumed following a break for lunch, with evidence from Senator Kyne.

He has told the court that he was scrolling through X on 10 January, when he came across one of the videos in question.

"I took it as a threat and that I would need six stitches after an attack or an assault," said Mr Kyne, before outlining how he was also concerned for the safety of his family and his staff.

He subsequently became aware of the second video and made a statement to gardaí detailing his concerns.

Under cross-examination by Mr O’Flaherty, Mr Kyne said: "I had a fear that I would receive an injury from you".

The accused said that while a threat was inferred it was not one he had directly made himself.

He went on to ask Mr Kyne to explain comments he made in the aftermath of last year’s riots in Dublin to the effect that those who put gardaí in harm’s way deserved "a good honest beating".

The case is continuing, with further questions to Mr Kyne on the State’s response to Covid-19.