Teenager set fire to jacket of mentally handicapped pensioner

A TEENAGER who set fire to the clothes of a mentally handicapped pensioner was yesterday given a two-month suspended sentence.

The boy, who was 15 at the time, was heard to laugh when he used a cigarette lighter to set fire to a jacket worn by the 71-year-old man who had a mental age of 10.

Judge Terence Finn heard yesterday that since the incident in West Cork last year, the youth had straightened out his life, which at the time was blighted by alcohol and mixing with bad company. When the case was first heard last November, evidence was given that Denis O’Driscoll was standing in a queue outside a mobile chip shop when the youth came up behind him and used a cigarette lighter to set fire to his jacket.

The youth had laughed when he lit a thread dangling from Mr O’Driscoll’s coat. However, as the fire spread he realised how serious it was, panicked and fled the scene.

A woman who was passing noticed Mr O’Driscoll’s jacket was on fire and rushed over to put it out. Large holes were left in the jacket and fleece top he was wearing after they had been burnt.

Garda Tim O’Donovan said that after the incident on March 8, 2002, the “victim spent weeks afraid to come out of his home” at Park Road, Dunmanway.

Mr O’Driscoll died suddenly six months later, although it was stressed to the court that his death had absolutely nothing to do with the incident outside the mobile chip shop.

Garda O’Donovan said the 71-year-old man was a “very popular person” despite his mental capabilities.

The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, later apologised for his behaviour and paid compensation to Mr O’Driscoll.

Judge Finn said he was taking into account a good report from the probation services, and Inspector Seán Healy confirmed that the youth, now 16, hadn’t come to the attention of the gardaí since.

The judge sentenced the boy to two months in a detention centre but suspended it. He also bound him to the peace for three years.