Forensic results awaited in case of man charged with Cork Airport arson attack on vehicles 

Accused is charged with three counts of arson, causing €100,000 worth of damage at Cork Airport Business Park

Accused worked at Cork Airport Business Park at the time of the alleged arson attacks, court heard. Picture: Denis Minihane

Forensic results are awaited in the case of a man charged with causing more than €100,000 worth of damage after he allegedly set fire to a Swissport Airline waste removal tanker and two other vehicles at Cork Airport Business Park in June.

Mateusz Stula, of Orchard Road, Blackpool, Cork, has appeared at Cork District Court charged with three counts of arson.

Sergeant John Kelleher said forensic analysis was ongoing in relation in the incidence of arson at the business park earlier this summer. A file is being prepared for the DPP.

Defence solicitor Eddie Burke said his client —who appeared on Thursday by video link — consented to a two- or four-week adjournment of the case.

Judge John King further remanded Mr Stula to appear before Cork District Court via video link on September 3 next.

Meanwhile, it is alleged that shortly after 1am on June 10, Mr Stula, 32, entered the grounds of Cork Airport Business Park and set fire to three vehicles parked there.

The Swissport Airline waste removal tanker was valued at €100,000. A second vehicle was privately owned and had been parked at the business park while the owner was out of the country.

A third vehicle was a privately owned animal transporter truck, which had been dropped to the business park for repairs.

Det Sgt Pat Lyons previously objected to the granting of bail in the case citing the seriousness of the charges and the strength of the evidence against the accused. CCTV footage was checked in the aftermath of the incident.

Mr Burke also previously told the court his client was drinking alcohol while on prescribed medication and required inpatient treatment.

He said Mr Stuka had worked at a premises in the airport business park prior to the incident. Mr Burke said the matter before the court was not a case of Mr Stula going to the airport to carry out this damage.

“For whatever reason, he left his place of work and went to where these vehicles were.”