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Petrol bomber fails in appeal

Summary

Michael Rae, 39, was convicted of arson and criminal damage after petrol bombing a family home and vehicle at Knockmore Park, Tallaght, on 26 May 2017. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced on 14 June 2018 to five years' imprisonment, with the final year suspended, by Judge Melanie Greally. The Court of Appeal upheld the sentence. The appeal judge, Mr Justice George Birmingham, noted that the victim saw Rae near the driveway that night, that CCTV captured him filling a plastic bottle with petrol, setting it alight and throwing it at the house, and that the attack caused damage to the vehicle, a wall and a window. Rae had 29 prior convictions, including two for non‑arson criminal damage and 15 for traffic offences, and was intoxicated on the night of the attack. The appeal was dismissed.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Petrol bomber fails in appeal. Charges or matters: criminal damage through arson of a house and vehicle at Knockmore Park in Tallaght on May 26, 2017. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

• May 26, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
• June 14, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2019-04-05 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal

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Read the original CNI report