Man accused of arson on Cork house may face trial by judge and jury

A Dubliner accused of arson on a €550,000 house in Cork in April now faces the prospect of trial by judge and jury.

Sergeant John Dineen said the directions from the DPP had just come through, and they are for trial by indictment at Cork Circuit Criminal Court or for a signed plea of guilty to be entered at district court level for sentencing at the circuit court.

Defence barrister Saoirse Kelly told Judge John King at Cork District Court yesterday that a book of evidence would be required by the defence team.

The case was adjourned until October 20 to allow time for the preparation and service of the book of evidence on 40-year-old Paul McCarthy of 40 Dowth Avenue, Cabra, Dublin, who appeared by video link from prison on the charge of arson at Fernbrook, Ballincrokig, Co Cork, on April 24.

Det Garda Brian Murphy objected to bail when the matter first came before Cork District Court, saying: “It is alleged that Paul McCarthy drove from Dublin, passing the Watergrasshill toll at 8.30pm.

“At 9pm, the car arrives at the house and three people exit.

“Two enter the curtilage of the property and ignited two glass petrol bombs with a blowtorch.

“They smashed a bedroom window and threw in these petrol bombs,” Det Garda Murphy said .

“The third person — believed to be Paul McCarthy — stands close to the vehicle and allegedly films the incident on his mobile phone.

“The Skoda Octavia enters the Plaza filling station in Portlaoise just before midnight, and Paul McCarthy is identified filling the car with €30 diesel and leaving without paying.”

An 87-year-old man and his 86-year-old wife were watching television in the house at the time of the incident.

It was quickly engulfed in flames, but they were unharmed.