Courts / Dublin / Report
Jail for man who set fire to two cars when he was unable to steal them
Summary
Gareth Colley, aged 23, was sentenced by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to three years' imprisonment, with the final 15 months suspended, for setting fire to the seat covers of a Ford Fiesta and a Nissan Micra after failing to secure a taxi ride. Colley, a father of one, admitted he was drunk and had no idea where he was when he attempted to break into the vehicles. He pleaded guilty to two charges of arson and an attempt to unlawfully take a car, both committed on 23 March 2014. The judge noted Colley's history of 52 prior convictions, including criminal damage, and described the offences as "the wanton destruction of two people's cars by someone who is out of his head on drink and possibly drugs." The court highlighted his propensity to damage property and his ongoing struggle with addiction, noting he has been attending a treatment centre since the beginning of the month.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jail for man who set fire to two cars when he was unable to steal them. Charges or matters: two charges of arson and attempting to unlawfully take a car on March 23, 2014. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 23, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2015-05-18 Publication
Why: He said Colley was "miffed" because a taxi wouldn't give him a lift and noted that he had 10 previous convictions for criminal damage. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: two charges of arson and attempting to unlawfully take a car on March 23, 2014 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He said Colley was "miffed" because a taxi wouldn't give him a lift and noted that he had 10 previous convictions for criminal damage. "He has a propensity to damage property," Judge Hogan said before he suspended the final 15 months of a three year sentence.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Dodder Terrace
- George Reynolds House
Topics
Arson Drugs Stage Sentence Taxi Trouble
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