Courts / Dublin / Report
Teen jailed for his role in arson at homeless accommodation
Summary
Gary Fitzgerald, aged 19, received a three‑year sentence for arson at Green Hills Court Apartments, Tallaght, on 26 March 2015. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and had seven prior convictions, including road traffic and assault. The fire, which caused €45,000 in damage, occurred in an unoccupied bedroom; Gardaí could not determine the cause. Gary lived next door to the burning apartment with his cousin Graham Fitzgerald, who also pleaded guilty to arson on the same occasion and to attempted robbery in February 2016. Judge Melanie Greally adjourned Graham's case for two weeks and imposed a suspended six‑month portion on Gary's sentence, ordering one year of post‑release supervision. The court noted Gary's extreme youth and drug use but accepted his early plea. No residents were in immediate danger, and the complex was evacuated. The case was heard with evidence from CCTV and police reports.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Teen jailed for his role in arson at homeless accommodation. Charges or matters: arson at Green Hills Court Apartments, Tallaght on March 26, 2015; arson at his neighbour's home in Green Hills Court Apartments on the same occasion and attempted robbery at Milanos, Abberley Square North, Tallaght on February 14, 2016. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial
When:
- March 26, 2015 Incident
- February 14, 2016 Incident
- February 9th Adjournment
- 2017-01-26 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: arson at Green Hills Court Apartments, Tallaght on March 26, 2015; arson at his neighbour's home in Green Hills Court Apartments on the same occasion and attempted robbery at Milanos, Abberley Square North, Tallaght on February 14, 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Melanie Greally had adjourned the case to today after hearing the evidence last year to allow a probation report be prepared on Gary.
Defendant
Charges: arson at Green Hills Court Apartments, Tallaght on March 26, 2015; arson at his neighbour's home in Green Hills Court Apartments on the same occasion and attempted robbery at Milanos, Abberley Square North, Tallaght on February 14, 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Melanie Greally had adjourned the case to today after hearing the evidence last year to allow a probation report be prepared on Gary.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Abberley Square
- Green Hills Road
Topics
Drugs Road Traffic Stage Charge Or Pretrial Theft Violent Crime
Related court reports
- Pair jailed for preying on innocent shooting victim in 'vicious extortion racket'
- 'Fun loving' drug dealer jailed over possession of €90k in crime cash
- 'I'm doing my job as a mum': court hears exchange between mother and accused son
- Separated husband spared conviction despite alleged threat to throw former wife out window
- Serial criminal set car ablaze after release from Melanie McCarthy-McNamara manslaughter sentence
- Drug dealer further sentenced for 'crudely' laundering own crime cash
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request