Arson rap girl has case challenged

The prosecution of a troubled 14-year-old girl, who allegedly took part in an arson that caused €15,000 worth of damages to her family home, is to be challenged in the High Court.

The girl is facing prosecution at the Dublin Children’s Court for causing criminal damage to her home, in south Dublin, by fire, in late 2005. She was aged 13 when the alleged incident happened.

Defence solicitor Catherine Ghent yesterday applied for the case to be adjourned saying that in the meantime the case would be brought to the High Court in relation to the issue of delay in bringing the prosecution against the girl.

Judge Bryan Smyth consented to the application and remanded the girl on continuing bail.

In an outline of the allegations a Garda had told the court that the girl was “arrested on suspicion of setting fire to her house. It is alleged that she set fire to a couch in the sitting room".

About €15,000 worth of damages were caused by the blaze.

The court had heard that the girl was in care. Previously, she had been detained by the High Court in the Ballydowd Special Care Unit, in Dublin, for her own welfare.

Before that she had been put into voluntary care by her mother and had been residing in hostel accommodation.