Ex-Partner of Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion Has Prison Sentence Increased on Appeal

Kilkenny Circuit Court has increased the prison sentence for Seán Tyrrell, the ex-partner of Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion, following an appeal. Tyrrell was originally sentenced in April 2025 for offenses under Section 4 of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020, commonly known as Coco’s Law.

Original Sentence and Appeal

Tyrrell, 39, of Cypress Grove, Loughboy, Kilkenny, initially received a four-month custodial sentence, with an additional four-month jail term suspended for two years, at Kilkenny District Court. He pleaded guilty to offenses dating back to August 2022, when Ms. Funchion was a TD representing the Carlow-Kilkenny constituency [RTÉ].

Sentence Increase

Judge Cormac Quinn increased the custodial sentence to five months and extended the suspended sentence from four months to five months. The suspended sentence remains suspended for two years, contingent upon Tyrrell maintaining good behavior and refraining from any communication regarding Ms. Funchion [RTÉ].

Details of the Offense

Judge Quinn stated that Tyrrell had threatened to disclose damaging and untrue allegations about Ms. Funchion electronically, causing her significant distress in both her personal and professional life. The judge deemed a custodial sentence both necessary and unavoidable [RTÉ].

Reaction from Kathleen Funchion

Following the sentencing, Ms. Funchion expressed a “huge sense of relief” and stated that “justice has been done.” She acknowledged experiencing devastation upon learning of the initial appeal but felt the increased sentence provided closure. She urged other women in similar situations to reach forward and seek support, emphasizing the importance of speaking out [RTÉ], [Irish Examiner].

“I really hope it sends out a very strong message – first of all to other women in that situation, please do come forward, please talk,” Ms. Funchion said. “I know how hard it is.”