Man charged with setting fire to five Cork city centre stores remanded in custody

Samuel Nunes Neto, 23, has been in custody on the five arson charges since the fires that gave rise to the arson charges on February 25

Samuel Nunes Neto. File picture: Larry Cummins

A young man charged with carrying out arson attacks at five large Cork city centre stores on the same day was remanded in custody until June 4.

Judge Mary Dorgan adjourned the case to allow time for directions in the case from the Director of Public Prosecutions and for permission to be sought from the psychiatrist who prepared a report on the accused to release a copy of the report to the defendant’s solicitor, Joseph Cuddigan.

23-year-old Samuel Nunes Neto, of no fixed address, has been in custody on the five arson charges since the fires that gave rise to the arson charges on February 25.

He 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.

“Mr Nunes was questioned at the Bridewell and he made full admissions. Those admission are corroborated by CCTV gardaí took from the various premises. And gardaí are not seeking any other person in connection with these incidents,” Mr Cuddigan said.

Mr Cuddigan said on the first occasion in court he had done some research with the defendant’s family as to his mental health.