"She sets out the targeted number of people and the threats were very specific, she sets out the choice of language was odd and as a result it made her look over her shoulder and fear for her family," said McCormack.

MP Duffield told the courts that she became "paranoid" attending events after the threats and lived in "constant fear." She cited the recent killings of fellow politicians Jo Cox and Sir David Amess as an increase in caution.

Mullen admitted to two charges of sending an article conveying threatening messages.

During sentencing, Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring said Mullen was part of a new phenomenon in which people on social media hide "behind a keyboard to threaten, abuse, or harass people in the public eye." The judge said that before this incident Mullen was "a man of previous good character" and had been passionate about "gender equality," per the paper.

Judge Goldspring handed down two suspended concurrent eight-week prison sentences for at least two years. Mullen has been ordered to complete a 12-month community service order, including 20 days of rehabilitation activity and 150 hours of unpaid work. He has also been ordered to pay 85 euros in costs and a 154 euro victim surcharge, court documents show.