Northern Ireland

Teen to plead guilty to New Zealand PM death threats

Matthew Burns leaving court
Matthew Burns leaving court Matthew Burns leaving court

AN Armagh teenager has indicated a guilty plea to making social media death threats to the New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

Matthew Burns (19) of Dundalk Road, Newtownhamilton appeared before Newry Magistrates Court yesterday.

The accused’s mother also attended the court in support of her son.

Ms Ardern was targeted by Burns after she spoke out to the New Zealand people following a mass shootings at two mosques in the city of Christchurch.

A Twitter message to the prime minster was made directly after the terrorist attack.

The court has heard that a photo of a gun silencer was sent with the message “you’re next”.

The teenager was further charged with making similar threats to the Mayor of London, Sadiq Kahn.

Burns was arrested on April 11 and taken to Banbridge PSNI station for questioning.

The dates of offending of ‘menacing character’ messages on Twitter and Facebook have now been consolidated to five charges from an initial 21, with dates from June 14, 2018 to March 20, 2019.

Defence barrister, Kevin Magill said that it would “simplify the matter” with a plea of guilty to the new amalgamation of the offences.

“There will be a plea to all five charges,” said defence.

“There is now a psychiatric report available to probation to assist in making any reports required,” added the barrister.

During a PSNI interview, Burns stated he had far right political leanings and had negative sentiments towards minorities, Muslims and the LGBTQ community. Volumes of similar posts towards minorities have been under investigation by the PSNI cyber unit.

District judge Eamonn King ordered a pre-sentence report in to the accused’s offending.

The case was adjourned to November, when sentencing is expected to be made.