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Three houses demolished after drink and drug-fuelled arson attack
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Brian McKee, 29, pleaded guilty to criminal damage by arson after setting fire to his partner's parents' home at Heather View Lawn, Tallaght, on 27 July 2018. The blaze, reportedly ignited on a couch, spread through the attic and into two neighbouring houses, destroying three privately owned homes. McKee, who had been drinking a can of Coors Light and gin and possibly cocaine, was found by neighbours early in the morning with a long‑bladed knife and blood on his clothes. Garda Josh Doran recounted that McKee was unconscious in the stairwell when the fire erupted, and that the police had to detain him after he attempted to re‑enter the burning house. The owners, who were abroad, suffered significant loss of property and financial hardship, with one victim impact statement noting €2,600 in lost wages and €11,000 in repair costs.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Three houses demolished after drink and drug-fuelled arson attack. Charges or matters: criminal damage by arson to a house at Heather View Lawn, Tallaght on July 27, 2018. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 27, 2018 Incident
- November 25 Adjournment
- 2024-07-25 Publication
Why: McKee, who had not drunk in a few months, said he drank a can of Coors Light and some gin from the bottle in order to knock himself out and sleep. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: criminal damage by arson to a house at Heather View Lawn, Tallaght on July 27, 2018 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She ordered probation and psychological reports and adjourned the sentence hearing for finalisation on November 25.; She ordered probation and psychological reports and adjourned the sentence hearing for finalisation on November 25.
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