School arson attack boy remanded on bail

A 14-year-old boy who took part in a serious arson attack on a primary school which caused more than €400,000 worth of damage, has been remanded on bail pending sentence by Judge Catherine Murphy at the Dublin Children’s Court.

The schoolboy pleaded guilty to committing the arson at St Paul’s National School, in Ayrfield, north Dublin, on September 8 last year.

A second boy, who was aged 13 at the time, is also charged over the arson. He was remanded on continuing bail to allow him time to consider his plea.

Judge Murphy accepted jurisdiction to hear the case in the Children’s Court rather than ordering trial on indictment in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after hearing an outline of the evidence. State solicitor Diarmuid O’Neill had also told Judge Murphy that the Director of Public Prosecutions wanted the defendants’ and their parents’ co-operation in the investigation brought to the court’s attention.

Garda Enda O’Sullivan of Coolock Station said: “They got onto to the roof. The skylight was opened, petrol was poured in and set alight.”

Both teenagers admitted their roles and were equally culpable.

Garda O’Sullivan said the pair came to the garda station with their parents and made admissions, which he described as unusual for culprits to do after such incidents.

A hallway and adjoining classrooms were extensively damaged as a result of the flames, smoke and consequential water damage from the Fire Brigade’s efforts to put out the blaze. No structural harm was caused to the building.

The youngster, a first-time offender, said that he had been playing football in the area and had a can of petrol that was being brought to another man who needed it for his motorcycle.

When questioned as to his motive the teen spoke briefly and nervously and said he bore no grudge against the school and had never attended it.

“I don’t know,” said the boy who was supported in court by his father. Judge Murphy said that she accepted that the boy was not able to explain his actions in court.

He had no previous convictions and has not come to the notice of the Gardaí since the fire, the court was also told.

Judge Murphy remanded him on bail until November to obtain a detailed probation report prior to sentencing. She indicated that she was unlikely to impose a custodial sentence provided the boy stayed out of trouble and co-operated fully with the probation and welfare services.

“That won’t be a problem,” said the boy as the case was adjourned.