Cork man who set fire to house in drug-induced psychosis has sentencing adjourned

Accused was about to be given a suspended sentence when court heard a urine test was positive for opiates

Accused was remanded on bail for further urinalysis on March 3 and judge said if if clear, she would proceed with suspended sentence. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

A drug-induced psychosis caused a man to hear voices and ultimately set fire to the family home, and as he was just moments away from a suspended sentence, it was interrupted by new information.

Judge Helen Boyle paused on the sentencing of 37-year-old Robert Sheehan, of 58 Innishannon Road, Fair Hill, Cork, and commented: “He always manages to trip himself up.” 

The judge had adjourned sentencing at Cork Circuit Criminal Court until now so the accused could do urinalysis tests to show he was clear of drugs.

However, as prosecution barrister Paula McCarthy examined the urinalysis results, which the judge had understood were clear, Ms McCarthy said the second last test was positive for opiates.

Mahon Corkery, defence barrister, said this was as a result a painkilling tablet taken at that time, and not as a result of any illicit drug.

Judge Boyle said she accepted there were a number of clear tests but all of them needed to be clear without any excuses for a positive test reading.

The judge acknowledged the defendant had been remanded in custody for a total of 170 days already on this arson charge. 

She remanded Robert Sheehan on continuing bail for further urinalysis on March 3. Judge Boyle said if everything was favourable on that date, she would proceed with the suspended sentence that was previously indicated.

Background

In terms of the background to the case, Garda Denis Coleman testified he responded to a call from the fire service, who were at the scene of the fire at Innishannon Road on April 7, 2024.

“A gentleman at the scene of the fire identified himself as Robert Sheehan. He said there were two people in the house — that he could hear the voices of two people.

“He was required to leave the area and he refused. The fire was extinguished and he was arrested under the Mental Treatment Act. He was hearing voices,” Garda Coleman said.

In fact, there was nobody in the house at the time of the fire. It was owned by his father, who is since deceased.

“On the evening, Robert Sheehan was conveyed to Gurranabraher Garda Station. A doctor was called to the station and he recommended he be conveyed to St Michael’s ward of Mercy University Hospital. The hospital declined to take him because he had taken intoxicants that day. He made full admissions,” Garda Coleman said.

The extent of the criminal damage was €10,000.

The 37-year-old pleaded guilty to the charge of intentionally or recklessly causing criminal damage by fire at that address on April 7 last year without lawful excuse. The charge specified damage by fire caused to the ground floor of house on that occasion.

Defence barrister Mahon Corkery said of the accused: “He rang 999 himself on the day. He apologised to all of the services and to his family,” Mr Corkery said.

Garda Coleman agreed and said Robert Sheehan wrote a letter of apology to the fire service.

Mr Corkery said the defendant was in a much better place now and was in a relationship where he enjoyed the positive support of his partner.