Sentencing adjourned in Cork Airport arson due to solicitors' dispute over free legal aid

Accused had admitted causing more than €118,000 worth of arson damage to three vehicles parked at Cork Airport Business Park in the early hours of June 10 2025

Accused told gardaí at interview that when he was working that evening in the hotel kitchen he began drinking vodka. He could offer no explanation for his actions. Picture: Denis Minihane

Sentencing of a man who set fire to three vehicles neighbouring Cork Airport only one month after being released from prison for another arson had to be adjourned until July 17 because of the free legal aid dispute.

Barristers appearing in criminal cases at Cork Circuit Criminal Court stood up in numerous cases to say they appeared but had no instructions from their solicitor.

Judge Helen Boyle adjourned the present case until July 17 in those circumstances.

Detective Sergeant Pat Lyons testified at Cork Circuit Criminal Court that 33-year-old Mateusz Stula was “found concealed in the luggage area of the bus parked nearby”, shortly after the arsons occurred.

Mateusz Stula, of Orchard Court, Blackpool, Cork, admitted causing more than €118,000 worth of arson damage to three vehicles parked at Cork Airport Business Park in the early hours of June 10 2025.

Det Sgt Lyons said on June 10, 2025, at about 1.15am, the defendant entered the grounds of Cork Airport Business Park where he set fire to three vehicles parked there. He had been working at the hotel in the area.

“One of these vehicles was a Swissport Airline waste removal tanker which has an approximate value of €100,000.

“A Volkswagen Camper was privately owned and had been parked at the business park while the owner was abroad.

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

“The incidents of arson in this instance have been captured on CCTV footage.” 

In each case, the accused sat into the driver's seat of the vehicle and set fire to the seating area until flames engulfed the vehicles.

When he was found hiding in the bus, he had a cigarette lighter in his pocket.

He told gardaí at interview that when he was working that evening in the hotel kitchen he began drinking vodka. He could offer no explanation for his actions.

He had been released from prison a month earlier, having served a three-month sentence for setting fire to an apartment that was in the process of being built. He caused €20,000 worth of damage that time.

Sentencing had been adjourned until Friday to allow time for a psychiatric report on Mr Stula.