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Alcoholic arsonist thought he was helping woman

Summary

In a case heard at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, 64‑year‑old Colm Dowling pleaded guilty to arson at Whitechurch Shopping Centre, Ballyboden, on 27 July 2020. He set fire to an empty commercial unit he believed belonged to a woman he knew, thinking that damaging the property would help her with her inheritance. Dowling admitted he had been drinking and taking medication that night, citing an alcohol problem that had resurfaced after his brother's death in 2018. Garda John Dalton reported that the fire spread from the empty unit to an adjoining Centra shop, causing about €200 in damage to the unit and €2,500 to the shop. Dowling, who has three prior convictions, was identified on CCTV and arrested the following day. The judge, Elma Sheahan, noted his remorse and his efforts to address his alcohol dependence, but required further proof of sobriety.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Alcoholic arsonist thought he was helping woman. Charges or matters: arson at Whitechurch Shopping Centre, Ballyboden, on July 27, 2020. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

• July 27, 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
• April 25, 2022 Adjournment
• 2021-04-22 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Charge Or Pretrial

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Read the original CNI report