Man who set fire to six Cork city centre stores said it was a protest against the rich

Man who caused €23,984 worth of damage suffered drug-induced psychosis after taking magic mushrooms and cannabis

Samuel Nunes Neto was hearing voices at the time of the incidents, the court heard.

A man using magic mushrooms and cannabis lit fires at six large shops in Cork city within minutes of each other — causing alarm for shoppers and staff — and later he claimed it was “a protest about how the rich treat the poor in Ireland".

Using a jet-fuelled lighter or mini-blowtorch, he caused a total of €23,984 worth of damage across the six premises, Detective Sergeant Colin Greenway said.