National court archive · 2026-03-26
Court hears of ‘neighbour from hell’ in Galway arson case
At a glance
- Crime
- arson
- People
- Michael O’Reilly, Brian O’Callaghan, Garda Tom Clarke, Geri Silke BL, Brendan Browne BL
- Locations
- Towin Island, Oranmore, Co Galway, Forthill Street, Galway
- Court
- Galway Circuit Criminal Court
- Outcome
- sentenced O’Reilly to six years in prison; he suspended the final three years of the sentence for four years
Summary
Michael O’Reilly admitted setting fire to a van outside VP Motors after a dispute with the business owner, in an attack the sentencing judge described as premeditated spite. He received six years with the final three suspended, plus probation supervision and extensive no-contact and exclusion conditions.
Original reporting: courtsnewsireland.ie