Courts / Dublin / Report

Arsonist who badly burned himself avoids jail

Date
2020-12-07

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Ian Morton, 31, was sentenced to a suspended three‑year term for setting fire to a doorway on Harold's Cross Road, Dublin, on 6 October 2019. He had been drinking heavily in a pub in Harold's Cross the previous night, was asked to leave for intoxication, then drove to a nearby garage where he bought €5 of petrol. He returned and lit the fire, which was quickly extinguished by barmen. CCTV captured the purchase and his car registration led to his arrest the next day. Morton suffered burns on his arms, hands and face and was treated in hospital. He pleaded guilty to one count of arson, has two prior drink‑driving convictions, and suffers from bipolar disorder. The judge noted his alcohol abuse and drug use contributed to the offence, and that he is now drug‑ and alcohol‑free, receiving counselling and medication. The suspended sentence is conditional on support measures.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Arsonist who badly burned himself avoids jail. Charges or matters: one count of committing arson at Harold's Cross Road, Dublin on October 6, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

October 6, 2019 Other
2020-12-07 Publication

Case subjects

Ian Morton

Defendant

Charges: one count of committing arson at Harold's Cross Road, Dublin on October 6, 2019 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Credit: Collins) An arsonist who set fire to a doorway and told gardaí he woke up the next morning with burns on his body and no memory of what happened has been given a suspended sentence. The judge noted that arson is often associated with mental health difficulties and she noted that that a suspended sentence with supports in place is often the appropriate way of dealing with such cases.