Arson accused Cork brothers bring case to sudden end after they change pleas to guilty

Two brothers who were put on trial for arson, after they denied all charges against them, brought their own case to a sudden end on Wednesday when they changed their pleas to guilty.

Judge Helen Boyle and a jury of 11 men and one woman had been hearing evidence in the case since February 24.

On Wednesday afternoon at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, Robert and Michael Crinnion both pleaded guilty to arson when their respective senior counsels, Tom Creed and Elizabeth O’Connell, asked the judge for them to be rearraigned.

Prosecution barrister Emmet Boyle said those pleas of guilty were acceptable to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

They had been on trial on more extensive charges, including a count against each of them for endangerment.

Judge Helen Boyle thanked the jury for hearing evidence in the case for the past three days.

The judge then excused the jury members from further jury service for a period of three years.

The two brothers were remanded in custody until April 30 for sentencing.

Robert Crinnion, aged 39, of Blackwater Grove, Togher, Cork, and 33-year-old Michael Crinnion, of the same address, pleaded guilty to a charge that on August 4, 2023, at a house on Dean St, Cork, they committed arson by causing fire damage to the hallway, sitting room door, bathroom door, stairs, bannister, a dressing gown, and bath mat, intending or being reckless as to whether such property would be damaged.