Courts / Dublin / Report

Chronic alcholic jailed over fire at flat provided to him after homelessness

Summary

Michael Smyth, 66, a chronic alcoholic with a long history of homelessness and 362 prior convictions, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for arson at a flat in Hogan Court, Dublin, on 12 August 2014. The fire caused €25,910 in damage. Smyth admitted to being intoxicated and possibly leaving a cigarette on his bed, which he said he had left that morning and not returned to. He denied any exchange of words with his upstairs neighbour, who had reported hearing him shout threats such as "I will burn you." Garda Amy Kelly confirmed that Smyth was living in accommodation provided by Dublin City Council at the time of the incident. Judge Martin Nolan, noting the serious danger and cost of the damage, imposed the sentence and backdated it to the date Smyth entered custody. The case was heard at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where Smyth pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Chronic alcholic jailed over fire at flat provided to him after homelessness. Charges or matters: arson at Hogan Court, Dublin on August 12, 2014. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• August 12, 2014 Incident
• July 2014 Other
• 2015-11-06 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

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Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report