Petrol bomb charges against men are dropped

Two men accused of throwing a lighting petrol bomb into an apartment had those and other charges against them withdrawn by the state yesterday and each now faces a charge of assault.

Michael Murphy, aged 32, of 28, Woodfield Hall, Station Road, Blarney, Co Cork, and Garrett Hill, aged 33, of 18, The View, Gleann Na Rí, Tower, Blarney, went on trial on Tuesday, pleading not guilty to the charge that on February 17, at 12, Woodfield Hall, Station Road, each threw a lit petrol bomb into the house occupied by Laura O’Callaghan which created a substantial risk of death or serious injury. They also denied making threats.

All of those charges were withdrawn by the state yesterday. Also withdrawn was the only charge against a third defendant, Amy Forrest, aged 25, of 28, Woodfield Hall, Station Road, Blarney, who denied the single charge of endangerment by providing a petrol bomb to others.