AN unemployed dad of 13 whose household receives over €77,000 in State benefits every year has had charges against him alleging he made threats withdrawn.

Kevin Stokes appeared at Longford District Court yesterday after he was alleged to have posted a YouTube video in which he threatened his relatives and gardai while wearing a balaclava.

The court had previously heard claims from Mr Stokes, of Lisnanagh, Edgeworthstown, Co Longford, that he was not in a position to pay a legal team.

aid

But a later hearing heard that the jobless member of the Travelling community and his family receive €77,400 a year net from the State.

Judge Seamus Hughes had deferred a decision on legal aid at a previous hearing until he received details of the Stokes family’s household income.

However, yesterday the charges against Mr Stokes - who had not yet entered a plea - were withdrawn.

He had been charged with distributing, displaying or making representation that was threatening, abusive, insulting or obscene with intent to provoke a breach of the peace on January 8, 2014.

hnews@herald.ie