Limerick man to be sentenced after threatening to 'blow up' home of Tusla social worker

A LIMERICK social worker was left living “in fear” and “constantly” monitoring her surroundings after receiving a threatening phone call from a member of a family she was working with. 

Stephen Grace, aged 34, with an address in County Galway, was convicted in January of this year for threatening to “blow up” the woman’s house and to kill her during a heated exchange. 

Limerick Circuit Court heard that on May 31, 2022, Mr Grace, originally from Limerick, called the social worker and asked a question regarding two individuals who were in the care system. 

During the phone call, she informed the Galway-based man that the information he was seeking could not be disclosed. From here, he became aggressive, threatening to “blow up” her home and kill her. 

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The woman, who was aged in her late 20s at the time of the incident, was “in fear” following the phone conversation and contacted the relevant authorities. 

On July 16, 2022, Stephen Grace was arrested and admitted that the call did take place but denied being aggressive or making threats. In another garda interview, he said he did not know the social worker’s address. The court heard he was generally co-operative with investigating gardai.

The injured party is now working elsewhere and she confirmed she had never seen or met Mr Grace prior to the trial 

In her victim impact statement, the woman said the threats had a “significant impact” on her career, where she just wanted to make a “positive” difference in children's lives. 

After the incident, she found herself constantly monitoring her surroundings and was on “high alert” at all times. This also affected her personal life and was a “distressing” period as she feared her child could be harmed. 

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Judge Colin Daly was informed of Mr Grace’s 121 previous convictions, 59 being for burglary and theft offences, 12 for criminal damage as well as one drugs charge and two assault offences. 

Prior to this, he had not come to garda attention since 2017 and from 2022 onwards, there were some minor offences. 

Limerick Circuit Court heard that he wishes to relay an apology to the woman because his “words caused her fear” and that there was no evidence these threats would be followed-up on. 

A forensic psychology report stated that in 2005, Mr Grace witnessed a traumatic incident which resulted in his 12-year-old brother dying in his arms. His childhood was “shattered” as a result and began abusing cocaine for a decade. The 34-year-old is sober now. 

He also experiences lasting physical effects arising from an incident during which a vehicle struck him and subsequently dragged him underneath. 

Mr Grace moved to Galway in 2013 and met his partner and they remain in a "stable relationship". It was said that he is facing “significant hardship” due to being separated from her. 

A Probation Report stated that he suffers from literacy difficulties and that his communication skills can be perceived as aggressive when angry or distressed.

He is at low risk of harming himself or others and it was recommended that Mr Grace receive rehabilitation and be allowed return to the community or, alternatively, that a suspended prison sentence be imposed. 

There is also a “desire to rebuild family connections” and that he would take “any and every opportunity to rehabilitate himself," said his defence counsel, Johanna O’Connor BL. 

Ms O'Connor stated her client is in custody because of “words spoken” in the heat of the moment and that “context is important". She insisted they were not "credible" threats as he was in "distress." 

She said Mr Grace has “achieved a good life against all odds” but that the statements he made (to the Tusla worker) were a "serious mistake". 

Upon hearing facts of the case and taking them into consideration, Judge Colin Daly remanded Mr Grace in custody until April 15, when he will impose sentence.