Man jailed for setting fire to his family home

A former hospital porter who attempted to commit suicide by setting fire to the council home he shared with his partner and four children has been given a four-year sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Daniel Long (aged 43), had a drinking problem at the time and Judge Katherine Delahunt said at an earlier hearing that she did not accept a report before the court on that occasion which indicated he had not tested negative for alcohol since January 2007 was sufficient to prove he no longer abused drink.