In a recent and concerning case, a man from Belfast has been sentenced to prison for sending threatening messages to Emma Little-Pengelly, who serves as Northern Ireland’s deputy first minister. The threats made through social media, particularly on Twitter (now known as X), left Little-Pengelly feeling so intimidated that she contemplated moving from her home. This incident highlights the serious issue of online harassment faced by public figures, a growing concern in today’s digital age.
Aaron Thomas Curragh, aged 34 and residing on Whincroft Road, has received a 31-month prison sentence, which will be split into half-time served in custody and the other half on license. Curragh had pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including three counts of criminal damage and one of threatening communications, underscoring the severity of his actions against Little-Pengelly and the wider implications of such behavior.
On July 8, 2024, Curragh made a series of alarming posts directed at Little-Pengelly. He not only shared threatening tweets but also uploaded a video that seemingly pointed toward the deputy first minister’s residence. During the video, Curragh claimed that she had “a death threat on her head from members of her own party,” adding that local shoppers were divulging her address. He further escalated the situation by making a chilling comment in another video, expressing regret that he could not disclose his location, but hoped she would still be alive when he could.
The courtroom proceedings revealed that Little-Pengelly personally recognized Curragh, recalling a previous encounter in which he had verbally abused her in a local shop. This connection added a layer of personal threat to the already distressing situation, indicating that Curragh’s behavior was not merely online but had a tangible, real-world implication for Little-Pengelly’s safety.
The situation worsened for other members of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) when it emerged that Curragh also vandalized the office of DUP assembly member Joanne Bunting. On December 8, 2023, she had left her office only to later receive a notification regarding substantial damage, with several windows broken. This act of vandalism was soon tied to Curragh, who used social media to insinuate his involvement. His posts were indicative of a growing trend where offenders leverage digital platforms to boast about or validate their criminal actions.
Following the December attack, Bunting became aware of further vandalism to her office on July 12, 2024, for which Curragh was again implicated through video evidence showing him engaging in destructive behavior. The police intervened, detaining Curragh in possession of a large breaker bar, asserting he had “found” it, though this claim was met with skepticism due to his combative demeanor.
Both Little-Pengelly and Bunting submitted victim impact statements, poignantly detailing the fear and distress these incidents instigated in their lives. Little-Pengelly expressed a profound unease in her own home, emphasizing that the attacks left her feeling isolated and apprehensive, particularly in the absence of her husband for support.
The court found that Curragh’s behavior was marked by irrational thinking. He expressed to a probation officer that he intended to leave Northern Ireland due to its division and displayed signs of paranoia, proclaiming that his prison communications were being recorded. His defense counsel highlighted a need for mental health evaluation, a recommendation Curragh declined.
Judge Gordon Kerr KC condemned Curragh’s actions as an alarming example of how public figures experience abuse that transcends acceptable criticism, reinforcing the necessity for legal repercussions in cases of online harassment and threats. As part of his sentence, Curragh is also subject to a seven-year restraining order against Little-Pengelly, prohibiting any contact with her as well as addressing the broader issue of online harassment that affects public trust and safety in political processes.