Five years for arsonist

A drug addict who broke into a house and caused €100,000 damage by setting it on fire while playing with matches has been given a five years sentence by Judge Martin Nolan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Thomas Kelly, (aged 20) of Whitestown Avenue, Blanchardstown pleaded guilty to arson and the theft of two guitars from a home in Palmerstown in Feburary last year.

Detective Garda Andrew Gauguin told prosecuting counsel, Mr Pieter Le Vert BL, that Kelly was "out of his head" on alcohol and prescription drugs when he broke into the home of Mr Richard English on Palmerstown Avenue and began setting fire to matches with a lighter.

Kelly told gardaí he couldn’t remember much about the incident but had flash backs to seeing a large fire. He said he tried to put it out but when it got too big he left the house, taking two guitars with him which he claimed belonged to a friend of his.

Det Gda Gauguin said Kelly came to the garda station voluntarily the next morning and admitted he had set fire to the house. He said he didn't know why he did it and was very sorry as the home belonged to a friend of his aunts’.

Defence counsel, Mr Erwan Mill Arden SC, said Kelly showed a lot of potential but had started drinking and taking Valium when his father died. He said, he had taken part successfully in a community programme since the offence and presented a positive psychological report.

Judge Nolan commented: "I can’t get over the seriousness of the crime and it is no thanks to him that no one was injured or killed."

He sentenced Kelly to five years in prison but suspended the final four on strict conditions.