AN ARSONIST who firebombed the wrong house and car in Ballybane pleaded guilty to the offences and the reckless endangerment of life when he appeared before Galway Circuit Criminal Court.
Judge Brian O’Callaghan heard that Dara Spratt of 24 Boroimhe Birches, Swords, Dublin pleaded guilty to the charges when put to him.
On May 9, last the defendant travelled from Dublin and took part in the fire-bombing of a Renault car and a home at 216 Castlepark, Ballybane.
The interior and exterior of the house were damaged in the attack. It was emphasised during the hearing that there was absolutely no connection between the firebombed home and car and the defendant. It is understood it was a case of mistaken address between elements involved in drug debts.
Spratt’s defence pleaded that he was 21 and had a drug problem at the time and had accumulated a drug debt. He fell into offending and came into the ambit of a criminal element. Given his age and the fact that his mother had died in 2022, his were a unique set of circumstances. The defence asked for bail and a Probation report.
Judge O’Callaghan said he would have to remand the defendant in custody until sentencing as this was very aggressive behaviour and two offences of arson could not be taken lightly.
The defence pleaded that Spratt was now a trainee electrician and a remand in custody would seriously impact on his apprenticeship and his rehabilitation.
Judge O’Callaghan agreed but said he was imposing serious curfew and other conditions to apply until his sentencing date came up. He is to sign on daily at Swords Garda Station, surrender his passport and stay away from drugs. The Judge also ordered a Probation report to focus on the issue of rehabilitation and adjourned sentencing until October 13.
This article is funded by Comisiún na Meán.
