TD Michael Healy-Rae told a court he was left rattled from a “tirade of abuse” in which he was told he would be shot.
Cianan Doyle, 35, admitted using bad language, challenging him about the homeless crisis and calling him a “Me Feiner”.
But he denied he threatened to shoot the Kerry deputy. Doyle was convicted of a public order offence after the incident at the junction of Dublin’s South Circular and Crumlin Roads in 2018.
Mr Healy-Rae told the city’s district court a car pulled up beside him at traffic lights.
He said the driver was angry and used very bad language. He said Doyle, the front seat passenger, was as bad.
The Independent TD said: “I’m not faint-hearted but what he did say then left rattled me.” He alleged Doyle said: “You would want a bullet put in your head and I would do it.”
Cross-examined by solicitor Michael Staines he denied he had been driving in a bus lane and said he was perfectly entitled to be in the line of traffic.
There were cars ahead and behind him, he said. The solicitor put it to him Doyle had said “f***er” once or twice, that is all. Mr Healy-Rae replied this was “nonsense”.
Doyle, of Beechfield Road, Perrystown, South Dublin, was spared a conviction and a possible jail term after he donated €1,500 to a road safety charity.
Judge Michael Walsh said his behaviour was rude but noted his good record and struck out the case.
