Corkman charged with attempted murder over alleged arson attack remanded in custody

Court previously heard the accused set fire to the house and stood outside swinging a blade when the first person ran from the burning building, telling him: 'You are going to die here tonight.'

Because there was an attempted murder charge there could be no application for bail at district court level, court heard. Picture: Larry Cummins

A 32-year-old man accused of attempted murder arising out of an investigation into the alleged arson of a house in Cork City on Christmas Day was remanded in custody until June 19.

Detective Garda Brian Barron formally withdrew a previous arson charge brought against Shane Casey of Shanowen, Rathcormac, Co Cork, who faced new charges last week.

One of the new charges against him refers to attempted murder of Billy Murphy, the owner of the house at Dyke Parade, Cork, who is a man in his 60s.

Other new charges are of assault causing harm to Billy Murphy, production of an article, namely a blade, in the course of the assault, and finally causing criminal damage to the house with intent to endanger life.

The charge that was withdrawn was a count that referred only to criminal damage by arson.

Defence solicitor Diarmuid Kelleher said because there was an attempted murder charge there could be no application for bail at district court level.

It was previously alleged the accused set fire to the house and stood outside swinging a blade when the first person ran from the burning building, telling him: “You are going to die here tonight.” 

Allegations

These were the allegations made by Det Garda Barron in the case when Shane Casey first appeared in court in relation to the alleged incidents at the house on Dyke Parade, Cork, just after 6pm on December 25, 2023 when four people were present in the house.

Referring to CCTV and other evidence, the detective said: “At 6.05pm, he exits and stands looking in the open front door at the fire taking hold. At 6.06pm, it is alleged that he closes the front door and attempts to barricade the front door from the outside, using a piece of timber to jam to the side and then under the door.

“It is alleged he takes a blade from his pocket and holds it out in front of him and waits outside. At 6.08pm, the front door bursts open and [one of the men] attempts to escape the now blazing house.

"It was alleged he said [to one injured party]:, 'My name is Shane Casey and you remember me from two days ago — you are going to die here tonight.'” It was further alleged one woman had to be rescued from the roof and it took six units of the fire service more than six hours to bring the fire under control and make the building safe and the fire caused thousands of euro in damage, the detective said.

Judge Mary Dorgan adjourned the case to June 19, on the application of Sergeant Aisling Murphy, at Cork District Court.