Irishman who admits threatening to 'put a bullet' in Jewish woman's head is charged in France and faces trial in October

An Irishman residing in France has admitted to threatening to kill an Australian Jewish tourist at an Avignon supermarket and making remarks invoking Hitler, Avignon Prosecutor Stéphanie Aouine confirmed on Thursday. The man, aged 60 and not yet publicly identified, faces charges of "apology for crimes against humanity" and a "conditional threat of death," carrying a combined maximum of eight years in prison. His trial at Avignon Criminal Court is scheduled for October. The incident on 11 August began as a dispute over the Australian woman's husband wearing a French football shirt before escalating into an argument about Ireland's position on Israel.

The man acknowledged making the remarks but told prosecutors 'he had let anger get the better of him' over Ireland's stance on Israel.

The victim told the Jerusalem Post the encounter was 'a terrifying and perfect reflection of how Jews are treated all over the world in 2026, just like in 1942.'

French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez praised gendarmes following the arrest, vowing antisemitism 'must be fought firmly and relentlessly.'