Courts / Cork / Report
Jail term upheld for man who set fire to family home
Summary
John Kelly, 51, was found guilty of arson for setting fire to his family home in Bruhenny, Churchtown, Mallow, Co Cork, on 18 December 2016. At the time, four children aged 11, eight, six and two were inside. He was sentenced by Cork Circuit Criminal Court to seven years imprisonment, with the final two years suspended. The Court of Appeal upheld this sentence. The judge noted that Kelly had returned home for Christmas holidays, an argument with his wife had escalated, and he felt "a fool was being made of him" on her Facebook page. He set two fires upstairs, removed the children, locked the door, and set a third fire downstairs. The house was destroyed, and the family relied on HSE accommodation. Kelly pleaded guilty, had no prior convictions, and was described as a good supporter for his family.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jail term upheld for man who set fire to family home. Charges or matters: arson of the family home at Bruhenny, Churchtown, Mallow, Co Cork on December 18, 2016 when the four children aged 11, eight, six and two were inside. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- December 18, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- Christmas Other
- 2018-12-14 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: arson of the family home at Bruhenny, Churchtown, Mallow, Co Cork on December 18, 2016 when the four children aged 11, eight, six and two were inside (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He was sentenced at Cork Circuit Criminal Court to seven years imprisonment with the final two suspended by Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin last year. Counsel for Kelly, Donal O'Sullivan BL, submitted that the headline sentence was too high and insufficient weight was given to the mitigating factors.
Places mentioned
- Cork
- Cork Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
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