Appeal court says McCormack’s sentences were too lenient but refuses to send her to prison

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

The Court of Appeal ruled that Maureen McCormack’s sentences for arson and theft were unduly lenient because they lacked a significant custodial element. It said sentences of at least two years’ imprisonment on both counts should have been imposed.

The court nevertheless refused the DPP’s sentence-review application and did not send McCormack to prison. It said that would be unjust given the process leading to the original sentences and her successful completion of community service; it also noted that she had made restitution under court direction.