Man bailed after being charged with arson

A 30-year-old man charged with arson offences in West Cork, including damaging fire service training vehicles on two separate occasions, has been remanded on bail.

Sean Byrne, of Boherna-bredagh, Drimoleague, Co Cork, appeared before Clonakilty District Court charged with six separate counts of arson.

The offences are alleged to have occurred at various locations in Skibbereen on dates between Mar 2013 and Jan 20, contrary to section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act 1991.

The charges include damaging five vehicles at Skibbereen Fire Station, Marsh Rd, last Monday which were to be used by the fire service for training purposes; and setting fire to a blue Mercedes Benz at McCarthy Plant Hire, The Quarry, Skibbereen, on the same date.

Mr Byrne was charged with four alleged arson offences in 2013, including damaging a mobile home at McCarthy Plant Hire between Mar 12 and 13, and damaging six vehicles at Skibbereen Fire Station on Mar 13, which were to be used by the fire service for training purposes.

Garda Donal McCormack told the court he arrested Mr Byrne on Jan 20 last and charged him in relation to the two offences alleged to have occurred on that date.

Mr Byrne made no reply to either charge, he said.

Detective Garda Maurice Shanley gave evidence of charging Mr Byrne in relation to the four offences alleged to have occurred in 2013.

He said the accused made no reply to any of the four charges.

Inspector Ronan Kennelly said it was an ongoing investigation.

He said the State had no objection to bail, subject to conditions including the imposition of a curfew and that Mr Byrne would say away from Skibbereen.

Judge James McNulty directed that Mr Byrne observe a curfew between 9pm and 9am and sign on at Bantry Garda Station three times a week.

He remanded Mr Byrne on bail on his own bond of €5,000 with an independent surety of €5,000 — 20% of which was to be paid in cash, to appear before Skibbereen District Court on Feb 25.

Judge McNulty granted Mr Byrne legal aid after an application by his solicitor Flor Murphy, who said his client was unemployed.