Courts / Dublin / Report

Homeless man who started fire by using lighter to peer inside bin is acquitted of recklessly causing €100k in damage to Gaiety Theatre

Date
2018-03-12

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, Richard Crealy, a 37‑year‑old homeless man, was acquitted of the charge of recklessly causing €100,000 damage to The Gaiety Theatre. The incident occurred on 26 April 2015 when Crealy, searching for cardboard to sleep on, used a lighter to see inside a bin in Tangier Lane. He claimed the fire was accidental and that he had tried to extinguish it. Smoke from the bin entered the theatre's stage shutters, triggering the sprinkler system and causing significant damage. Gardaí and the fire brigade were present, and CCTV footage linked Crealy to the bin. The jury, after about half an hour of deliberation, found him not guilty, concluding that while the fire was accidental, the prosecution had not proven that he had foreseen the damage to the theatre. The case ended with Crealy's acquittal.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Homeless man who started fire by using lighter to peer inside bin is acquitted of recklessly causing €100k in damage to Gaiety Theatre. Charges or matters: committing arson at Tangier Lane, Dublin 2, in that he did without lawful excuse damage by fire The Gaiety Theatre and structure being reckless as to whether it would be damaged on April 26, 2015. Procedural stage: trial

When:

April 26, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
2018-03-12 Publication

Why: He told them that in order to convict Mr Crealy they had to consider two steps. CNI source report

Case subjects

Richard Crealy

Defendant

Charges: committing arson at Tangier Lane, Dublin 2, in that he did without lawful excuse damage by fire The Gaiety Theatre and structure being reckless as to whether it would be damaged on April 26, 2015 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty