Man posted threatening video following dispute with his neighbour

A HORSE breeder who posted a video threatening to kill his neighbour following a dispute has been fined.

Matthew Boyle (33), 5 Parkview, Raphoe, was before Letterkenny District Court this week.

He is charged with a Section 5 Non-fatal Offences Against the Person Act, threat to kill or cause serious harm, at 4 Parkview, Raphoe, on October 30, 2022.

Addressing the court, solicitor Donough Cleary said: “The accusation is that he posted an online message emanating from a dispute with a neighbour. He expresses remorse, and he acknowledges it was disturbing.”

Mr Cleary pointed out that in the three years since the incident there have been no further difficulties between the parties.

Agreeing with this, Sergeant Jim Collins said: “As Mr Cleary suggests, whilst it would have been accepted that the threat was made, the person would have known there was no viable threat.”

Judge Emile Daly expressed her concern about what can arise from social media videos.

“When something is put online, particularly videos, it can give rise to other bad behaviour.”

Mr Cleary pointed out that his client had taken the video down within the hour of posting it online.

The court was told Boyle receives weekly Farm Assist payments of €280.

Convicting and fining Boyle €280, Judge Daly said: “This hasn’t happened since and it can’t happen again. It’s a serious matter, the way these things operate.”