Man set fire to house after finding ex in bed with brother

A Meath man who set fire to his brother’s house after finding his ex-girlfriend in bed with his brother has been spared jail.

Damien Reynolds, aged 31, of Silkwood Court, Mornington, pleaded guilty to arson at Colin Reynolds’ house at Seaview, Crook Rd, Mornington, on July 4, 2010.

Trim Circuit Court yesterday heard that after a night out in Drogheda, Reynolds had gone to his brother’s house but was refused entry.

He kicked in the back door and began fighting with his brother, who ran with the woman to a relative’s house.

After the couple had gone, Reynolds took a saw from a shed at the rear of the house and emptied petrol onto a cooker, starting the blaze.

The court heard the fire caused €51,500 worth of damage.

Reynolds told gardaí he had blacked out when he saw the couple in bed and could remember little of what happened.

The court heard that since the incident, Reynolds had undergone psychiatric help and counselling. He was also reconciled with his brother.

In a letter to the court, Colin Reynolds asked that his brother not be jailed.

Judge Michael O’Shea said he was satisfied the arson had been motivated by revenge and that Damien Reynolds had been unable to control his anger.

Judge O’Shea imposed a three-year suspended sentence on Reynolds, who was bound to good behaviour for three years.