A Fine Gael councillor carrying out voluntary work last year was accosted by a man who called him a “traitor” and threatened him over his work in support of Ukraine, a District Court has heard.
Cllr Alan Tobin, elected in Ashbourne for Meath County Council, said the incident made him think twice about continuing as a public representative.
Ciaran Starrs was charged under the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act with threatening to kill or maim Mr Tobin at Castle Street, Ashbourne, on June 10th, 2024.
In court, Mr Tobin said the defendant produced a hammer and he had a “certain breed of dog” in his vehicle. When an apology was offered in court Mr Tobin said he accepted it but “there should be a zero-tolerance approach to this”. He said his wife heard about the altercation “and shouldn’t be subjected to this”.
“Every time a vehicle pulls up beside me now I get nervous,” Mr Tobin said. He said a crime-prevention officer was in his house to make sure his house was secure.
Councillor Tobin joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.