Cork man who was ‘hearing voices’ set fire to family home

Voices were heard by a man who was hallucinating at his family home, and he said he responded to the sounds by setting fire to the house.

Detective Sergeant Kieran O’Sullivan said the accused man said when interviewed for by gardaí on the charge of arson: “I heard the voices for two or three hours. I didn’t want to do it. But I said f*** it, and I did. These voices go on for hours.” 

Shane Hendricks (26) confessed to the arson of the house in Knocknaheeny causing damage costing more than €28,000. Judge Sinead Behan said she would adjourn sentencing until February 26 2026, and remanded the accused in custody until then.

Peter O’Flynn, defence barrister, said at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, the accused seemed to have a psychotic episode and had an emotionally unstable personality disorder.

Evidence

Evidence was given at Cork District Court previously that Shane Hendricks was at the address at Kilmore Heights, Knocknaheeny, Cork, where the arson occurred on March 25 last year.

Garda Cillian O’Connell said: “Gardaí attended a report of a house fire at Kilmore Heights. On arrival, gardaí were met by Cork city firefighters who informed gardaí there had been a fire set in the rear bedroom.

“A petrol can had been recovered from the bedroom and there was extensive damage to the bedroom. Gardaí were also made aware that there were two occupants in the house when the fire was set but were out of it when the gardaí arrived.

“While gardaí were in attendance, Shane Hendricks of Kilmore Heights approached them and said to Garda David O’Donoghue: 'I did it, I set fire to the room.' 

“On being searched at the scene he was found to have a burnt lighter in his pocket. He said in interview that he had consumed a number of cans of alcohol prior to setting the fire while at home and (was) off his medication which (were) prescribed.” 

Judge Sinead Behan has remanded him in custody for sentencing on February 26, 2026.