Courts / Louth / Report
Arsonist jailed for his role in fire that caused €2.2 million worth of damage at shopping centre has sentence cut on appeal
Summary
James McNamee, aged 23, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment for arson at North Link Retail Park, where a sofa set on fire in the loading bay caused €2.2 million of damage, including €745,000 uninsured. He pleaded guilty to one count of arson on 30 June 2010 and was originally sentenced by Judge Michael O'Shea on 31 January 2014. On appeal, the Court of Appeal reduced the sentence to four years with the final 18 months suspended. McNamee, who was 18 at the time of the offence, and three minors had climbed a fence to enter the loading bay; only McNamee was prosecuted. The court noted that no one was injured or killed and that the fire caused significant business losses, some businesses closing permanently. McNamee was required to post a €100 bond for four years after release. The appeal was granted by Judges Alan Mahon, Garrett Sheehan and John Edwards.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Arsonist jailed for his role in fire that caused €2.2 million worth of damage at shopping centre has sentence cut on appeal. Charges or matters: one count of arson at North Link Retail Park on June 30 2010. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- June 30 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 31 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2015-06-22 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: one count of arson at North Link Retail Park on June 30 2010 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He was sentenced to four years imprisonment by Judge Michael O'Shea on January 31 2014. McNamee successfully appealed his sentence and a new sentence of four years imprisonment with the final 18 months suspended was imposed on him by the three-judge Court of Appeal.
Places mentioned
- Dundalk
- Dundalk Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- North Link Retail Park
Topics
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