Men drove from Dublin to Cork and set fire to house of couple in their 80s, court told

One man was in court charged with arson at Fernbrook, Ballincrokig, Co Cork, on April 24, when he allegedly carried out an arson attack on a house, causing up to €550,000 damage

Elderly couple were not the intended targets, gardaí believe. Picture: Larry Cummins

Three men drove from Dublin to Cork to set fire to a house, causing up to €550,000 damage in the complete destruction of the house, which was video-recorded by one of them. The couple in their 80s who lived there were not believed to be the actual target of the attack, gardaí stated on Wednesday.

Paul McCarthy, aged 37, of 40 Dowth Avenue, Cabra, Dublin, was charged by Detective Garda Brian Murphy with arson at Fernbrook, Ballincrokig, Co Cork, on April 24, when he allegedly carried out an arson attack on a house, causing up to €550,000 damage.