Courts / Ireland / Report

Suspended sentence for chef who set fire to sisters home

Date
2014-12-08

Stage
Sentence

Summary

Jason Breen, 41, a chef, set fire to his sister's home in Dun Laoghaire after she obtained a barring order against him. He poured petrol through an upstairs window while the house was empty, and a neighbour entered to rescue a dog, which was later found unharmed. Breen was arrested with singed hair and burn marks, admitting he wanted to destroy the house because it belonged to his late mother and because he had not slept for nine days while using crack cocaine and "snow blow." He pleaded guilty to arson on 30 July 2013. Judge Mary Ellen Ring sentenced him to three years in prison, suspended in full on the condition that he keeps the peace for three years. The court noted his lack of prior convictions, his drug rehabilitation at Coolmine, and his willingness to offer his culinary skills to help others. The fire caused about €30,000 in damage, paid by the local council.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Suspended sentence for chef who set fire to sisters home. Charges or matters: arson at St Anne's Park, Dun Laoghaire on July 30, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

July 30, 2013 Other
July 2013 Other
2014-12-08 Publication

Why: He said he wanted to burn down the house because his sister had barred him and the house was the last thing that had belonged to his late mother. CNI source report

Case subjects

Dun Laoghaire

Convicted Person

Charges: arson at St Anne's Park, Dun Laoghaire on July 30, 2013 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Mary Ellen Ring sentenced Breen to three years in prison but suspended it in full on condition that he keeps the peace for three years.

Jason Breen

Defendant