Cork man accused of setting fire to family shed hours after receiving court order

The accused was remanded in custody until November 15.

A 50-year-old man served with a protection order not to put his elderly father in fear in the family home allegedly set fire to a shed within hours of receiving the domestic order.

The accused man was arrested at his home in North Cork and brought before Cork District Court on a charge of breaching the order on November 7.

He applied for bail through his solicitor, Máire O’Sullivan, at an in-camera hearing of the court for the case brought under the Domestic Violence Act.

Garda Cathal Power objected to bail being granted to the defendant on the basis of the seriousness of the alleged offence.

It was alleged that the 50-year-old was served with the protection order shortly after 1pm on November 7 and that later in the afternoon he was highly intoxicated and threatened his 72-year-old father that he would set fire to a shed on the property.

It was further alleged that within four hours of receiving the protection order, the defendant lit a tyre, possibly doused with petrol, and threw it into the shed, setting it on fire and causing extensive damage.

Judge Mary Dorgan heard the evidence on Wednesday and said: “I am refusing bail because of the seriousness of the allegation that he was served at 1.15pm with a protection order and allegedly burned down the shed soon after. I am aware it was alcohol-fuelled.

“He is innocent until proven guilty but it is alleged that he put his father in fear.” 

The accused was remanded in custody until November 15. Ms O’Sullivan was appointed to represent him on free legal aid.