DUP minister Gordon Lyons has said he will write to the north’s most senior judge to express his “surprise” that a Co Tyrone man convicted over sending him a “threatening and menacing message” received only a £500 fine.
The communities minister and East Antrim MLA said he believed the actions of Gregory Mullan “warranted a stronger sentence”, adding he would raise the issue with Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan.
Mullan, from the Cloneen area of Dungannon, was sentenced on Thursday after pleading guilty to misusing a communications network by sending a message of a menacing character.
The 57-year-old had previously denied the offence, which was committed on December 19 2022, before changing his plea at the last minute.
Mullan had sent Mr Lyons a message through Facebook, in which he said he would be “out for blood” if MLAs did not get back to work at Stormont.
In his sentencing remarks, District Judge Francis Rafferty said Mullan had “behaved disgracefully”, adding: “Threatening people is not acceptable in any shape, manner or form.”
Following the hearing, Gordon Lyons said he welcomed the sentencing, but said he did not believe it would be a “sufficient deterrent” for others tempted to carry out similar offences.
“No public representative, or indeed anyone, should be subjected to such threats while carrying out their duties,” Mr Lyons said.
“I was surprised however that the penalty imposed was merely a fine. The seriousness of the message sent, coupled with the defendant’s refusal to take responsibility until the last moment, warranted a stronger sentence.
“A £500 fine does not seem to reflect the gravity of the offence or act as a sufficient deterrent against similar behaviour in the future.”
The minister added: “Threatening and abusive communications have a serious impact on their victims and should be treated with the utmost seriousness. I will be writing to the Lady Chief Justice thanking her for the court’s efforts but raising my surprise at the penalty.”