Cork man who denies arson charges remanded in custody for DPP directions

A man who denies arson charges agreed to a four-week remand in custody to allow time for DPP directions.

Judge Catherine Ryan remanded 30-year-old Dean Aherne in continuing custody until June 3, on the application of Sergeant John Dineen.

The defendant denies responsibility for causing the criminal damage by fire to a house at The Greens, Little Island, Cork, and an earlier incident where a car was burnt outside the house where a woman lives with her young children. 

It was alleged that the arsons were carried out because of a drugs debt.

Diarmuid Kelleher, solicitor, repeated that a bail application is pending before the High Court.

Garda Amy Quinn objected to bail because of the seriousness of the allegations and fears for the safety of the complainant if bail was given.

Garda Quinn outlined the allegations in the course of the objection to bail: “At approximately 10.40pm on April 9, the 39-year-old female injured party was at home at The Green, Little Island, Cork, with her children when she heard somebody banging at her front door.

“She ran to the front door and looked out the glass in the front door. A male was shouting outside the front door that he was going to kill the injured party and that he had a gun. The injured party allegedly recognised the voice as that of Dean Aherne, who she personally knew.

“She alleges that she saw Dean Aherne setting her car on fire, which resulted in the car being completely burnt out.

“At approximately 12.10am on April 12 it is alleged that Dean Aherne and two other males approached the home of the injured party where it is alleged that Dean Aherne poured an accelerant on the front door of the injured party’s home and then lit it. 

"A fire took hold, but fortunately was put out quickly by the injured party’s family. The fire caused extensive damage to the front door, overhead PVC panelling in the porch outside the front door, and to PVC surrounds on the sitting room window.

“The injured party has alleged that the arsons at her home are as a result of a drug debt.

“Videos have been discovered of both arsons on Dean Aherne’s mobile phone.”

Mr Aherne said he was not the one on the videos lighting the fires.