Man pleads guilty to setting fire to five Cork city centre stores

Shops included outlets of TK Maxx, Superdry, Lifestyle Sports, Next, Boots and Brown Thomas

Samuel Nunes Neto was sent forward for trial at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. Picture: Larry Cummins

Signed pleas of guilty were entered on Wednesday by a young man charged with carrying out arson attacks at six stores in Cork city on February 25 last.

When Samuel Nunes Neto, 24, of no fixed abode, first appeared before Cork District Court there were concerns about his psychiatric condition.

Judge Mary Dorgan asked on Wednesday in advance of signed guilty pleas being entered if the accused man had been found fit to plead to the charges.

Defence solicitor Joseph Cuddigan said there was no issue about the defendant’s fitness to plead and confirmed he had been seen by a psychiatrist. He added he and a barrister in the case had met with the accused and he could confirm the defendant was fit to plead.

On Wednesday at Cork District Court, he signed the guilty pleas and Judge Mary Dorgan sent the case forward for sentencing at the sessions of Cork Circuit Criminal Court commencing on October 29.

He admitted six counts of causing criminal damage to stores in Cork city centre.

The impacted shops were in the Patrick Street, Half Moon Street, Opera Lane and Cornmarket Street area of Cork City and included outlets of TK Maxx, Superdry, Lifestyle Sports, Next, Boots and Brown Thomas.

The damage on the charges related to clothing at Superdry, Next, Brown Thomas and TK Maxx, the building structure and clothing at Lifestyle Sports, and damage to shelving, perfumes, cosmetics and toiletries at Boots.

Free legal aid in respect of Mr Cuddigan’s representation of the accused was extended to include a barrister for the sentencing hearing at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.