Boy (17) accused of arson spree that left two Dublin homes 'uninhabitable'

Tom Tuite

A 17-year-old boy has been accused of a series of arson attacks that gutted two south Dublin homes within two weeks, leaving them uninhabitable.

The youth, who cannot be identified because he is a juvenile, was arrested over an alleged crime spree from January 24th to March 2nd this year.

He appeared at the Dublin Children's Court on Thursday, having been remanded in custody at the weekend.

The youth faces nine charges connected to a string of offences at the Tullyvale development in Cabinteely, as well as residential areas in Shankill, Glenageary and Dún Laoghaire.

He is charged with arson of two houses in Glenageary, at Beeches Park, on March 2nd and on February 17th at Ashlawn Park, to such an extent that both properties are "no longer habitable".

According to his charges, the teenager is accused of targeting five cars on January 24th.

At East Courtyard, Tullyvale, he is alleged to have committed arson by setting fire to a Honda Fit, an Austin Cooper Saloon and a Volkswagen Golf. On the same date, he is accused of criminally damaging two other cars' windows at Shanganagh Cliffs, Shankill.

Gardaí are also prosecuting him for a motor theft in Dún Laoghaire, also on January 24th.

He also faces a charge of unlawful use of a stolen vehicle on February 4th in Shankill.

Accompanied to court by his grandmother and his barrister, the youth did not address the court or indicate a plea. The teenager was remanded in custody to appear again in two weeks.

Judge Paul Kelly noted gardaí need a lengthy period, possibly up to 12 weeks, to obtain directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions. The teen's barrister, Amy Hughes, said that the boy was not applying for bail at this stage.

She informed the court that a representative of a bail supervision programme, linked to the courts, was in attendance and wished to engage with the teen's family first.

The judge noted that additional charges could be brought and urged gardaí to make progress, as the youth will turn 18 and become an adult later this year.

A decision still has to be made on whether his case will remain in the Children's Court or be transferred to the Circuit Court, which can impose harsher sentences.