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Alcoholic has "no reason to offer" why he set motorbike on fire

Summary

James Kennedy, 34, from Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin, pleaded guilty to arson on Westland Row on 12 September 2015. He set a motorbike on fire, causing a passing woman and child to flee for safety. CCTV shows Kennedy moving the bike, tampering with the petrol tank, placing lottery slips under it, and then setting them alight in a nearby café. The bike, worth €3,000, was completely destroyed. Kennedy had 40 prior convictions, including criminal damage, theft, public order and violent behaviour. He admits alcohol problems, stating he was "full of alcohol" after drinking a bottle of vodka that day, and does not recall the incident. Judge Melanie Greally adjourned the case to allow assessment for residential drug treatment and ordered a probation report. Kennedy will be sentenced next February.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Alcoholic has "no reason to offer" why he set motorbike on fire. Charges or matters: arson on Westland Row, on September 12, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• September 12, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2016-11-23 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Public Order Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report