Boy freed after arson charges dropped

A 16-year-old boy, who was accused of carrying out an arson attack at the Lambert Puppet Theatre in Dublin, has walked free from court after all charges were dropped.

It is estimated €150,000 worth of fire damage was caused in August to the historic venue, which was founded in 1972 by Eugene Lambert and now run by his son Liam Lambert.

The boy, who cannot be named as he is a minor, was arrested and refused bail after he appeared at the Dublin Children’s Court in September charged with arson and burglary over the blaze.