DPP's directions awaited in Cork arson case against man charged with setting fire to house and car

The garda file in the case against a man who denies charges of setting fire to a house and the car parked outside was sent to the DPP on June 24 and directions are still awaited on where the trial will be heard.

Judge David Waters adjourned the case until July 29 on the application of Sergeant Aisling Murphy to allow time for directions to be obtained from the Director of Public Prosecutions. Sgt Murphy said the garda file had been sent on June 24.

30-year-old Dean Aherne (30) spoke to the judge by video link from prison at Cork District Court: “I’ve had no chance of talking to my solicitor.” He said he appealed the district court refusal of bail to the High Court where bail was also refused.

The accused asked the judge to make the adjournment peremptory. Judge Waters refused but added: “That does not mean I won’t in the near future.” 

He also said to the defendant: “Contact your solicitor. I understand some solicitors are talking to their clients behind the scenes.” 

The defendant denies responsibility for causing the criminal damage by fire to a house at The Greens, Little Island, County 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.

Garda Amy Quinn outlined the allegations in the case 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.”