Man pleads guilty to charge of arson at house in Cork suburb

A guilty plea was signed by a 55-year-old man accused of carrying out an arson attack on a house in Hollyhill last May.

Garda Garry Purtill originally arrested Raymond Walsh with an address at Killavullen, Mallow, County Cork, and charged him with arson and causing criminal damage.

Sergeant John Kelleher said the Director of Public Prosecutions directed trial by indictment in the case.

Defence solicitor Frank Buttimer had requested a copy of prosecution evidence, including a memo of the garda interview with the defendant, so that a decision could be made on whether the case would be contested or a signed plea of guilty would be entered.

Today at Cork District Court Mr Buttimer indicated that the accused was entering a signed plea of guilty to the charges against him.

Raymond Walsh admitted the charge that on May 6 2023 at a house at Meadow Crescent, The Meadows, Hollyhill, Cork, he committed arson where he damaged by fire the front door of a property intending the damage or being reckless.

Secondly, he admitted causing criminal damage to the kitchen window of the same property belonging to Tuath Housing.

On the application of Sergeant John Kelleher at Cork District Court, Judge Mary Dorgan adjourned the case until October 14 for a technical matter, and it is anticipated that it will be sent forward to Cork Circuit Criminal Court on October 29.