Man (28) admits setting religious building on fire in Co Donegal

Stephen Maguire

A young man has pleaded guilty to an arson attack on a religious building in Co Donegal.

Ryan McCrabbe, 29, appeared before Letterkenny Circuit Court, where he pleaded guilty to the charge.

McCrabbe, of McCann's Corner, St Johnston, faces a total of three charges.

The charges follow a series of arson attacks on buildings in east Donegal on the same night in August last year.

McCrabbe pleaded guilty to one of the charges "without prejudice".

He is charged that on August 29th, 2024, at St Johnston Masonic Hall, Church Lane, St Johnston, did commit arson in that he did, without lawful excuse, damage by fire property, to wit, St Johnston Masonic Hall, Church Lane, St Johnston , belonging to another intending to damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be damaged.

The charge is Contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991.

He is also charged that on the same date, at the Loyal Orange Hall, Main Street, St Johnston, he did commit arson in that he did without lawful excuse damage by fire property, to wit, Loyal Orange Hall, Main Street, St Johnston, belonging to another intending to damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be damaged.

The charge is contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991.

He is also charged that on the same date at St Baithins Church, St Johnston did commit arson in that he did, without lawful excuse, damage by fire property, to wit, St Baithins Church, St Johnston, belonging to another, intending to damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be damaged.

This charge is also contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991.

Barrister for the accused, Ms Patricia McLaughlin, SC, said her client is 28 years of age and has no previous convictions.

She also requested a medical or nursing report for her client as well as a psychiatric report.

McLaughlin told the court that at the time of the incident, her client had been undergoing dialysis for seven years, three times a week.

In the week before the incident, nursing staff had noticed a "marked change" in McCrabbe's behaviour and he had been admitted overnight to a psychiatric facility.

Judge John Aylmer agreed to allow for a medical and psychiatric report.

He also allowed for a probation and welfare report and adjourned the case to the October sessions of the circuit court.