The Daily Star Ireland
Joseph Baldwin, a farmer from Ballyaneen, Gort, Co Galway, has been given a community service order instead of a prison sentence after being convicted for assaulting former TD Anne Rabbitte.
Baldwin was found guilty of assault and breaching public order for his threatening and abusive behavior at a public meeting in Gort in January 2023. During the hearing, video evidence showed Baldwin throwing a small bag of cow dung at Rabbitte, though it did not hit her.
Baldwin explained that he attended the meeting to express his frustration over local issues, particularly plans to establish a biomass plant in Gort, and that he never intended to harm anyone. After reviewing a probation report and receiving several character references from local professionals, including a GP and a pharmacist, Judge Alec Gabbitt determined Baldwin was suitable for a community service order.
The judge acknowledged Baldwin’s cooperation with the probation service and noted that he posed a low risk of reoffending. In light of this, he was sentenced to 60 hours of community service, instead of a three-month prison sentence. However, the judge stressed that the behavior displayed in the video was unacceptable, especially towards public representatives, and emphasized that such actions should never be repeated.
The public order charge was considered in the sentencing, and provisions were made in case the decision is appealed.
