Courts / Dublin / Report
Arsonist who caused €1.25m in damage to apartment block and left 25 homeless is jailed
Summary
John McGovern, 25, set fire to the Station Hill apartment complex in Clongriffin, Dublin, causing €1.25 million in damage and leaving 25 people temporarily homeless. He pleaded guilty to one count of arson and one count of assault on his partner, Gráinne O'Brien, on 1 November last year. The court found the arson a very serious offence because it placed residents' lives at risk. Judge Karen O'Connor sentenced McGovern to six and a half years' imprisonment, suspended the last 12 months, and imposed a two‑year period of good behaviour and supervision by Probation Services. McGovern had 26 prior convictions, including theft and public order offences, and had been in custody since the incident. The fire was extinguished after four‑and‑a‑half hours, with no injuries, but six homes were destroyed and many residents suffered financial and emotional hardship. The judge noted McGovern was making good use of his time in custody and seeking rehabilitation.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Arsonist who caused €1.25m in damage to apartment block and left 25 homeless is jailed. Charges or matters: one count of arson causing damage to a number of apartments at Station Hill apartment complex at Clongriffin and to one count of assault causing harm to his partner Gráinne O'Brien on November 1 last year. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- November 1 Incident
- November 1, 2016 Incident
- 2017-11-02 Publication
Why: Judge O'Connor said arson was considered a very serious offence by the courts because it was impossible to control the outcome, and that McGovern had placed the lives of the residents at risk. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: one count of arson causing damage to a number of apartments at Station Hill apartment complex at Clongriffin and to one count of assault causing harm to his partner Gráinne O'Brien on November 1 last year (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Passing sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard today, Judge Karen O'Connor said McGovern was at very high risk of reoffending, but noted he was making good use of his time in custody and trying to find a way to rehabilitate himself. She suspended the last 12 months of a six and a half year prison sentence.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
Public Order Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime
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