Dubliner claims he's innocent after arson attack destroyed Cork pensioners' home
A man is vehemently protesting his innocence in respect of an alleged arson attack which caused €550,000 in damage and totally destroyed the home of two Cork pensioners.
Paul McCarthy of Dowth Avenue, Cabra, Dublin, appeared before Cork District Court on a charge of arson at Fernbrook, Ballincrokig, in Co Cork, on April 24 last.
The court previously heard that Mr McCarthy (37) was allegedly one of three men who drove from Dublin to Cork to set fire to a house.
It was also previously alleged that the incident was video-recorded by one of the men.
The two pensioners - both aged in their 80s - were not the actual target of the incident.
Sgt John Kelleher told Judge John King that €550,000 worth of damage was caused to the property involved by the blaze.
He stated this led to the 'complete destruction' of the house.
Sgt Kelleher said that Mr McCarthy first appeared before the court on May 7 last in connection with his alleged role in the incident.
He has been remanded in custody since.
Sgt Kelleher said that forensic results are awaited in the case following the search of two properties.
Gardaí applied for a four-week remand in custody in the case.
Defence counsel Nicholas Hall BL said that his client will be insisting that he is entirely innocent of the crime.
He stated that the searches were carried out early on and asked that the matter be expedited.
Judge King remanded Mr McCarthy in ongoing custody until August 20 next for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The accused will appear by video link again on that date.
Garda Brian Murphy previously objected to bail when the matter first came before Cork District Court.
He said that it was alleged that at 9pm on April 24 last a car arrived at the house in Ballincollig and three people emerged from the vehicle.
"Two entered the curtilage of the property and ignited two glass petrol bombs with a blowtorch. They smashed a bedroom window and threw in these petrol bombs,' he said.
'The third person – believed to be Paul McCarthy – stands close to the vehicle and allegedly films the incident on his mobile phone. The Skoda Octavia enters the Plaza filling station in Portlaoise just before midnight and Paul McCarthy is identified, filling the car with €30 diesel and leaving without paying.'
The vehicle was also detected passing the Watergrasshill toll plaza at 8.30pm that evening.
Garda Murphy said that a man aged 87 and his 86-year-old wife were watching television in the house at the time.
He told the court that the house was quickly engulfed in flames but the couple were unharmed.
Garda Murphy said that if it had been a short time later the pensioners would have been in bed with potentially tragic consequences.
'Paul McCarthy had complete disregard for the elderly occupants of the property which was completely destroyed. From the initial investigations, gardai are not of the belief that these persons were the intended victims,' he said.
He added that it was alleged that Mr McCarthy drove from Dublin with the two other individuals.
Gardaí indicated to the court that, from their investigations, the two pensioners are not believed to have been the targets of the attack.
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Sunday World
5 hours ago
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Dubliner claims he's innocent after arson attack destroyed Cork pensioners' home
The two pensioners - both aged in their 80s - were not the actual target of the incident A man is vehemently protesting his innocence in respect of an alleged arson attack which caused €550,000 in damage and totally destroyed the home of two Cork pensioners. Paul McCarthy of Dowth Avenue, Cabra, Dublin, appeared before Cork District Court on a charge of arson at Fernbrook, Ballincrokig, in Co Cork, on April 24 last. The court previously heard that Mr McCarthy (37) was allegedly one of three men who drove from Dublin to Cork to set fire to a house. It was also previously alleged that the incident was video-recorded by one of the men. The two pensioners - both aged in their 80s - were not the actual target of the incident. Sgt John Kelleher told Judge John King that €550,000 worth of damage was caused to the property involved by the blaze. He stated this led to the 'complete destruction' of the house. Sgt Kelleher said that Mr McCarthy first appeared before the court on May 7 last in connection with his alleged role in the incident. He has been remanded in custody since. Sgt Kelleher said that forensic results are awaited in the case following the search of two properties. Gardaí applied for a four-week remand in custody in the case. Defence counsel Nicholas Hall BL said that his client will be insisting that he is entirely innocent of the crime. He stated that the searches were carried out early on and asked that the matter be expedited. Judge King remanded Mr McCarthy in ongoing custody until August 20 next for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The accused will appear by video link again on that date. Garda Brian Murphy previously objected to bail when the matter first came before Cork District Court. He said that it was alleged that at 9pm on April 24 last a car arrived at the house in Ballincollig and three people emerged from the vehicle. "Two entered the curtilage of the property and ignited two glass petrol bombs with a blowtorch. They smashed a bedroom window and threw in these petrol bombs,' he said. 'The third person – believed to be Paul McCarthy – stands close to the vehicle and allegedly films the incident on his mobile phone. The Skoda Octavia enters the Plaza filling station in Portlaoise just before midnight and Paul McCarthy is identified, filling the car with €30 diesel and leaving without paying.' The vehicle was also detected passing the Watergrasshill toll plaza at 8.30pm that evening. Garda Murphy said that a man aged 87 and his 86-year-old wife were watching television in the house at the time. He told the court that the house was quickly engulfed in flames but the couple were unharmed. Garda Murphy said that if it had been a short time later the pensioners would have been in bed with potentially tragic consequences. 'Paul McCarthy had complete disregard for the elderly occupants of the property which was completely destroyed. From the initial investigations, gardai are not of the belief that these persons were the intended victims,' he said. He added that it was alleged that Mr McCarthy drove from Dublin with the two other individuals. Gardaí indicated to the court that, from their investigations, the two pensioners are not believed to have been the targets of the attack.
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