'She is no good to me' - Man accused of 'slicing babies' threat makes drastic comment in court

A man who is accused of issuing threats on TikTok has decided to represent himself in court, a Laois judge has been told. 

Petre Beniamin (50) of No Fixed Abode, is accused of publishing a grossly offensive communication on TikTok. It’s alleged he published a communication about “slicing up Irish babies, kids and you” with intent to cause harm contrary to Section 4(1) and (3) of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020. 

He was further charged with engaging in threatening, abusive and insulting words with intent to provoke a breach of the peace and demonstrating at the time of the offence, hatred towards the Irish people contrary to the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024. Both offences were alleged to have been committed at an unknown location in Dublin on May 24 last. 

The defendant was arrested in Abbeyleix on May 28 and remanded in custody at a special sitting of Portlaoise District Court a day later. 

He appeared in court again via video link where his solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick told Judge Andrew Cody that she had an application to come off record as the defendant "doesn't want to retain my services”. 

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Judge Cody told the man that he may be entitled to free legal representation. 

“I said she is no good to me,” the defendant told Judge Cody. 

“I can represent myself if you wish,” the man said. 

Judge Cody said “I am allowing Josephine Fitzpatrick to come off record.” 

He then again asked the defendant if he would like a solicitor to be appointed. 

“I don’t mind representing myself,” the man responded. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said he was seeking to remand the man in custody for another two weeks as he said it would be “at least a month before we have directions.” 

The defendant said he would not object to a four week remand in custody. However, Judge Cody said, “for the moment we will just do two weeks”, as he remanded the case back to Portlaoise District Court on June 19 by video link. 

“Thank you. Have a nice day,” the defendant said after he was remanded in custody.