Latest news with #JudgeMaireConneely
Irish Times
a day ago
- Irish Times
Teenager charged with arson of house shows no remorse, court hears
A 14-year-old boy showed no remorse for allegedly taking part in a firebomb attack that destroyed an innocent family's home in Dublin and killed their pet husky trapped in the blaze, a court heard. The teenager, charged with arson of the house on Landen Road, Ballyfermot, which was left gutted on May 21st, was denied bail on Saturday. He was remanded to the Oberstown Children Detention Campus after appearing before Judge Maire Conneely at Dublin District Court. The boy, who cannot be named because he is a juvenile with the right to anonymity, made no reply when charged in advance of his court appearance after he was deemed unsuitable for inclusion in the Garda Youth Diversion Programme. READ MORE Objecting to bail due to the seriousness of the case, Garda Alan McGinty recounted that at 2.28am, gardaí responded to a report of a domestic fire at the home. They learned that one resident was asleep in the livingroom, but he woke to the sound of glass smashing and found the room was on fire. The man's wife, son and their dog were in the property at the time. The family got out but the pet husky 'was still trapped inside and died in the fire'. The court heard the innocent family's home was 'totally' destroyed in the attack, after which a witness overheard a male yell 'wrong house'. Evidence was given that two males in balaclavas arrived at the house on an electric bicycle, and the defendant was allegedly the driver, while his passenger carried and threw the burning petrol can. Images of the scene were handed over to the court, which also heard there was CCTV footage, but the judge held it was unnecessary to view the video. She noted allegations that a jerrycan of petrol was bought at a service station three hours before the incident before being brought to and hidden in bushes at a building in the Dolphin's Barn area. It was alleged that shortly before 2:30am, two males arrived in a taxi, put on balaclavas and travelled to Landen Road on an electric bicycle. Garda McGinty alleged that they could be tracked on CCTV and, after the arson, they returned to the Dolphin's Barn area and handed the electric bicycle back to another person. It was alleged that the boy and another male went away in a taxi and the vehicle's dashcam footage has been retrieved, leading to his identification. The jacket he allegedly wore in the taxi was found during a search of his home. Garda McGinty stated that during the interview, the teenager, who has no prior criminal convictions, showed no remorse. The boy, supported in court by his mother and other family members, sat silently at the side of the courtroom and has not yet indicated a plea. The judge noted that no bail terms would alleviate the concerns of the investigation team. A decision has yet to be made on his trial venue but defence barrister Kevin McCrave submitted it was likely the case would go to the Circuit Court, which has greater sentencing powers. He submitted that refusal of bail would mean he could be held for a year before his trial and disrupt his education. He urged the judge to note that the teenager would abide by a myriad of strict conditions available to the court. Referencing the Children's Act, he cited the law, which sets out that detention should be a last resort. He stressed the teen had the presumption of innocence, no prior convictions, history of drug abuse or failing to appear in court and there was no witness intimidation evidence. Judge Conneely held, however, that the garda had established a case for refusing bail and remanded the boy in custody to appear at the Children's Court on Wednesday.
Irish Times
a day ago
- Irish Times
Businessman sent masked spy to watch ex through her window, court hears
A Dublin businessman flouted a protection order by sending a masked man to spy on his ex-partner through her window at night and e-mailing her work, saying 'I've nothing to lose', a court heard. The man in his late 20s, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was charged with breaching the Domestic Violence Act order and refused bail by Judge Maire Conneely on Saturday. Voicing concerns about possible witness interference, a local garda told Dublin District Court that the woman had secured a protection order at the start of May but continued to live with the accused for several weeks. She recently moved out, however, and was staying at another house in a different part of the city. READ MORE It was alleged her ex-partner sent an email to her work on Friday, booked an appointment with her and one message quoted in court read: 'I have nothing to lose, watch what I do today.' The garda testified that in the early hours of Saturday, a masked man on a bike was sent by the accused to her new home and there was CCTV evidence. The woman also alleged the person outside had been shouting: 'Where are you? Where are you?' She said she stood behind her curtains but heard the man speaking on his phone, telling someone 'he could see her inside'. Visibly upset, the woman told Judge Conneely that she could see the 'fully covered' man at her window talking about her and referring to her with a version of her name only used by her ex-partner. She broke down and wept as she spoke out, claiming her ex became nasty when he abused alcohol and drugs, which had resulted in her seeking the protection order. The woman alleged that the man blocked her from re-entering their former shared home when she needed to retrieve her work uniform. Cross-examined, defence counsel Kevin McCrave put it to her that she kicked or damaged the door and that his client had offered to leave her uniform outside, which she did not accept. She also alleged she had to move her car because of a threat to damage it, saying, 'I am in genuine fear'. Mr McCrave stressed that his client maintained he was innocent and would abide by strict conditions, including not going near his former partner's new address and refraining from contacting her. Judge Conneely said the accused has the presumption of innocence, but held that the garda had established grounds as she denied bail. The accused did not testify during the proceedings and spoke only to consult his barrister. The man, who awaits a full hearing of the charge, was remanded in custody to appear again next week. After the judge made her decision, the accused raised concerns, via his counsel, about his work and the lack of someone to care for and feed his pets before he was escorted from the court.
BreakingNews.ie
a day ago
- BreakingNews.ie
‘I have nothing to lose': Businessman (20s) sent masked spy to watch former partner, court told
A Dublin businessman flouted a protection order by sending a masked man to spy on his ex-partner through her window at night and emailing her work, saying "I've nothing to lose," a court has heard. The man in his late 20s, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was charged with breaching the Domestic Violence Act order and refused bail by Judge Maire Conneely on Saturday. Advertisement Voicing concerns about possible witness interference, a local garda told Dublin District Court that the woman had secured a protection order at the start of May but continued to live with the accused for several weeks. However, she recently moved out and was staying at another house in a different part of the city. It was alleged her ex-partner sent an email to her work on Friday, booked an appointment with her, and one message quoted in court read, "I have nothing to lose, watch what I do today". The garda testified that in the early hours of Saturday, a masked man on a bike was sent by the accused to her new home, and there was CCTV evidence. The woman also alleged the person outside had been shouting, "Where are you, where are you?" Advertisement She said she stood behind her curtains but heard the man speaking on his phone, telling someone "he could see her inside". Visibly upset, the woman told Judge Conneely that she could see the "fully covered" man at her window was talking about her, and referring to her with a version of her name only used by her ex-partner. She broke down and wept as she spoke out, claiming her ex became nasty when he abused alcohol and drugs, which had resulted in her seeking the protection order. The woman alleged that the man blocked her from re-entering their former shared home when she needed to retrieve her work uniform. Advertisement Cross-examined, defence counsel Kevin McCrave put to her that she kicked or damaged the door and that his client had offered to leave her uniform outside, which she did not accept. She also alleged she had to move her car because of a threat to damage it, adding, "I am in genuine fear". Mr McCrave stressed that his client maintained he was innocent and would abide by strict conditions, including not going near his former partner's new address and refraining from contacting her. Judge Conneely stressed the accused has the presumption of innocence, but held the garda had established grounds as she denied bail. The accused did not testify during the proceedings and spoke only to consult with his barrister. The man, who awaits a full hearing of the charge, was remanded in custody to appear again next week. After the judge made her decision, the accused raised concerns, via his counsel, about his work and the lack of someone to care for and feed his pets before he was escorted from the court.
