Bailed accused seeks privacy

A solicitor acting for a man charged in relation to a petrol bomb attack on a house in Waterford has asked the courts not to disclose his client’s new address.

Gregory Hennessy, (23), originally from Ballybeg in Waterford City, is facing two charges in connection with the incident at Ardmore Park in Waterford on October 16 in which three children were injured.

He was granted bail earlier this month, but Waterford District Court heard yesterday that he has a new address.

His solicitor, Kenneth Cunningham, submitted the address to Judge David Staunton and said he had informed the State about the accused’s change of circumstance.

“I would ask the court not to disclose the address,” Mr Cunningham said.

Inspector Tony Lonergan said this was “acceptable” to the gardaí. He applied for an adjournment until mid- January, to await directions on the case from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Judge Staunton agreed to amend the bail conditions to reflect the accused’s change of address, on the basis that the State was aware of the new address and had no objection. Inspector Lonergan said this was the case and the judge adjourned the proceedings until January 20 next, “for directions from the DPP”.

Gregory Hennessy is charged with reckless endangerment by allegedly throwing a petrol bomb through a sitting room window at Ardmore Park, Waterford, “which created a substantial risk of death or serious harm to another,” and also with criminal damage.

The court previously heard he has “denied all involvement” in the incident.

The attack occurred at the home of Nellie Halligan and resulted in her 11-year-old granddaughter Roisin Halligan suffering burn injuries and requiring surgery, after she threw herself on her one-year-old cousin Lexie to save her from flames while they were watching television in the front room.