Cork man who set fire to family home in drug-induced psychosis claimed he could hear voices
37-year-old Robert Sheehan, of 58 Innishannon Road, Fair Hill, Cork, was before Cork Circuit Criminal Court for sentencing on Wednesday, having pleaded guilty to the crime.
Garda Denis Coleman testified he responded to a call from the fire service who were at the scene of the fire on Innishannon Road on April 7, 2024.
'A gentleman at the scene of the fire identified himself as Robert Sheehan. He said there were two people in the house — that he could hear the voices of two people.
'He was required to leave the area and he refused. The fire was extinguished and he was arrested under the Mental Treatment Act. He was hearing voices,' Garda Coleman said.
In fact, there was nobody in the house at the time of the fire. It was owned by his father, who is since deceased.
'On the evening, Robert Sheehan was conveyed to Gurranabraher Garda Station. A doctor was called to the station and he recommended he be conveyed to St Michael's ward of Mercy University Hospital. The hospital declined to take him because he had taken intoxicants that day. He made full admissions,' Garda Coleman said.
The extent of the criminal damage was €10,000.
Sheehan pleaded guilty to the charge of intentionally or recklessly causing criminal damage by fire at that address on April 7 last year without lawful excuse. The charge specified damage by fire caused to the ground floor of house on that occasion.
Defence barrister Mahon Corkery said the accused man had spent a total of 170 days remanded in custody on this charge since it occurred.
'He rang 999 himself on the day. He apologised to all of the services and to his family,' Mr Corkery said.
Garda Coleman agreed and said Robert Sheehan actually wrote a letter of apology to the fire service.
He said the defendant was in a much better place now and was in a relationship where he enjoyed the positive support of his partner.
Judge Helen Boyle said: 'This is a very serious offence. When you set fire to something you can't control it. I don't know if this was a detached house or what. I need to have more than one urinalysis test, which is not sufficient in such a serious case.'
The judge adjourned sentencing until November 26, with monthly supervised urinalysis to be done in the meantime — the certificates to be sent to gardaí.
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