Man pleads guilty to petrol bombing

BANDON Garda Station was petrol bombed and the life of a member of the public was put at risk — and yesterday the culprit pleaded guilty to two charges arising out of the crime.

When the accused, James Stewart, 30, of Apartment 4, Burlington Court, McSweeney Quay, Bandon, Co Cork, was arraigned, he pleaded guilty to one count of causing criminal damage by arson and one count of endangerment contrary to Section 13 of the Non-fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

The particulars of that charge were that Stewart intentionally and recklessly created a risk of death or serious harm to another person by throwing a container filled with flammable liquid into a confined space to which members of the public had access.

Stewart also pleaded guilty to that charge.

Pearse Sreenan, barrister for the defence, applied to have sentencing put back with the accused on continuing bail.

“He has addiction problems and has been attending for the last few weeks at Fellowship House, a three-month programme that will be finished in January. He is also in employment,” Mr Sreenan said.

Siobhán Langford, for the prosecution, said the State had no objection to the defendant being released on continuing bail.

Mr Sreenan said a probation report from July was available but an updated report would be of benefit.

Judge Patrick J Moran directed an updated report be furnished and adjourned sentencing of Stewart until March 3, 2008, with the accused on bail.

A full outline of the background to the incident will be given on that occasion.