Arsonist who burned home of ‘neighbour from hell’ spared jail

AN arsonist who burned the home of his “neighbour from hell” escaped jail on condition that he do 240 hours community service.

Judge John O’Hagan told Reginald Greene, aged 22, it was not a defence to claim provocation but he was aware “of extreme provocation over a period of time which is a mitigating factor”.

The judge said Michael O’Shea, whose home was burned, provoked Greene in the most extreme way. O’Shea chewing Greene’s food and then spitting it at him in a Chinese restaurant was “utterly contemptuous.” The judge added that it was not an isolated incident because there were issues over a long period of time.