Man, 62, pleads guilty to setting fire to seven cars

A 62-year-old Cork man accused of setting fire to seven cars in his neighbourhood pleaded guilty to the arson charges yesterday.

John Heaphy, of 59 Kerryhall Road, Fairhill, Cork, admitted all charges related to the burning of cars in residential areas of Fairhill in May 2014.

Niamh Stewart, defending, asked for sentencing to be adjourned until February 24 as he had another case for sentencing on that date.

Ms Stewart said no reports were sought on the accused.

Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin acceded to the application to adjourn sentencing with the accused on continuing bail.

Heaphy was arraigned at Cork Circuit Criminal Court yesterday where he pleaded guilty to seven charges of setting fire to cars. Between May 15-16, 2014, he set fire to a Toyota Yaris at Kerryhall Road. On May 21, he burned a Nissan Micra at Fairhill. On May 31 at French’s Villas, he cause fire damage to a Honda Civic.

On the same date at Fairhill he also set fire to a Volkswagen Passat, a Mazda 6, a Suzuki Swift and a Ford saloon car.