Man accused of arson attacks at five stores in Cork City 'made full admissions', court told

Samuel Nunes Neto is accused of arson whereby he caused criminal damage by fire at Next on Opera Lane, Lifestyle Sports on St. Patrick’s Street, Boots on Half Moon Street, Superdry on St. Patrick’s Street and TK Maxx on Cornmarket Street — all on Sunday, February 25. Picture: Larry Cummins

A young man arrested and charged with carrying out arson attacks at five large Cork city centre stores on Sunday has told gardaí who interviewed him at the Bridewell garda station that he was responsible for the crimes.

This emerged within moments of the first appearance on Wednesday at Cork District Court by 23-year-old Samuel Nunes Neto of no fixed abode. Judge Mary Dorgan asked for the prison governor to provide all necessary medical attention to the accused when the defence requested a psychiatric report.

There was no application for bail as Sergeant Gearóid Davis applied to have the accused remanded in custody on the five arson charges until March 6.

He is accused of arson whereby he caused criminal damage by fire at Next on Opera Lane, Lifestyle Sports on St Patrick’s St, Boots on Half Moon St, Superdry on St Patrick’s St and TK Maxx on Cornmarket St — all on Sunday, February 25.

No reference was made to the value of damage on the charge sheets and no such evidence was given in court. The damage mentioned on the charges referred to clothing at Next, Superdry and TK Maxx, clothing and building structure at Lifestyle Sports, and damage to cosmetics, perfumes, toiletries and shelving at Boots.

Detective Sergeant Colin Greenway was present in court for the case but he was not required by the prosecution to give evidence. However, defence solicitor, Joseph Cuddigan, asked for the Det. Sgt Greenway to be called to address certain issues raised by the defence.

“Mr Nunes was questioned last night at the Bridewell and he made full admissions. Those admissions are corroborated by CCTV gardaí took from the various premises. And gardaí are not seeking any other person in connection with these incidents,” defence solicitor, Mr Cuddigan, suggested. Det Sgt Greenway agreed.

Mr Cuddigan went on to request a recommendation to the prison governor that the accused would be seen by psychiatric services in the prison and that legal aid would be extended to obtain a report from the prison psychiatrist. 

Mr Cuddigan was granted free legal aid to represent the accused. He asked for a separate certificate of free legal aid to be granted to another solicitor in his office on one of the other arson charges. He said they were five separate offences and he would limit his application to two separate certificates for free legal aid.

After the defence concluded its questions for Det Sgt Greenway, Mr Cuddigan submitted that there should be no delay in the Director of Public Prosecutions giving directions in the case claiming that the detective sergeant had said that the file was effectively completed and the State case effectively closed.

Sgt Davis objected and said his colleague had said no such thing. Referring to the defence remarks, Sgt Davis said: “That is a bit of a hijacking, to be fair.” 

Mr Cuddigan returned to the issue of his application for free legal aid for a psychiatric report. “It is sought by the defence as a result of certain matters that have come to my attention. I have done a certain amount of research with his family as to the man’s mental health.” 

Judge Dorgan said: “I am noting your application. We will talk about it again on March 6. I will deal with that application on that date.” 

The judge said she would recommend that the accused would get all appropriate medical attention.

The young man accused of the arsons wore blue jeans and a black sweatshirt as he stood in the dock at Courtroom 1 at Anglesea St courthouse and was not required to speak during the hearing.

He will appear by video link from prison on the next occasion. The accused man’s 24th birthday will fall during his remand in custody on Sunday, March 3.