A serial arsonist whose fire claimed his uncle's life has had his prison sentence increased by the Court of Appeal. Daniel Murray, aged 40, of no fixed abode but residing in County Cavan, was originally sentenced to seven-and-a-half years at the Central Criminal Court in January 2022 after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of Patrick Oliver Murray at Derrylurgan, Ballyjamesduff, on 2 August 2018. The State successfully argued the sentence was unduly lenient. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy determined that Murray's culpability was very significant and re-sentenced him to nine-and-a-half years in custody. The court noted Murray's previous arson convictions and the vulnerability of his intoxicated uncle, who was asleep when the fire began. While acknowledging Murray's guilty plea and demonstrated remorse in custody, the judge emphasised the retributive and condemning nature of the offence, which resulted in loss of life.
Source links
Original report plus public source leads and related archive reports used for review context.
Public source leads
- Serial arsonist who killed uncle in Cavan house blaze ‘was more concerned about dog’ - Longford Leader Longford Leader · Tue, 18 Jan 2022 08:00:00 GMT
- Serial arsonist who burned his uncle to death has sentence increased - BreakingNews.ie BreakingNews.ie · Fri, 09 Dec 2022 08:00:00 GMT
- Nephew who set fire to uncle’s house more concerned about family dog when told body had been found, court told - Irish Independent Irish Independent · Mon, 17 Jan 2022 08:00:00 GMT
- Serial arsonist jailed for killing uncle in revenge house fire - The Irish Times The Irish Times · Tue, 25 Jan 2022 08:00:00 GMT
- Serial arsonist who caused death of his uncle has sentence increased - Anglo Celt Anglo Celt · Fri, 09 Dec 2022 08:00:00 GMT
- Serial arsonist jailed for manslaughter of uncle - Anglo Celt Anglo Celt · Wed, 26 Jan 2022 08:00:00 GMT
Related court reports
-
Serial arsonist 'more concerned about dog' than death of uncle, court hears
Courts News Ireland · 2022-01-17
A man who pleaded guilty to manslaughter following the death of his uncle in a house fire at Derrylurgan, Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan in August 2018 appeared before the...
-
Serial arsonist jailed for killing uncle in revenge blaze
Courts News Ireland · 2022-01-25
A man has been jailed for seven-and-a-half years for manslaughter following the death of his uncle in a house fire at Derrylurgan, Ballyjamesduff, County Cavan in...
-
Murder accused admits to manslaughter, arson
Courts News Ireland · 2021-11-01
Daniel Murray, aged 39 and of no fixed abode, appeared at the Central Criminal Court on charges relating to a house fire in Ballyjamesduff, County Cavan in August 2018....
-
Violent attacker who had it 'in his mind' to rape victim (85) has sentence increased
Courts News Ireland · 2021-11-18
A man from Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan, has had his prison sentence increased following an appeal by the Director of Public Prosecutions. Shane Smith (32) pleaded guilty...
-
Stolen bike handler avoids further jail for laundering cash
Courts News Ireland · 2025-11-10
A Cavan man previously imprisoned for handling 117 stolen bicycles has received a suspended sentence for money laundering linked to the same offence. Dinas Bimbiras,...