Courts / Meath / Report
Man who tried to murder mother by setting fire to home to be under supervision for 10 years
Summary
A 24‑year‑old man, Camden Konopka, was sentenced to a ten‑year suspended term for attempting to murder his mother by setting fire to their home, locking her inside and discarding the keys. The judge, Mr Justice Tony Hunt, back‑dated the sentence to May 2020 and ordered that the balance of the term be suspended for ten years, during which Konopka must be supervised by Nua Healthcare Services. He is required to remain at a supervised location, follow all staff directions, take his medication, and may not contact his mother directly unless she initiates communication. Konopka has been in custody for over four years and has a history of mental illness. The court noted the case was "distressing" and that the punitive element had been adequately addressed. The sentence aims to minimise future harm to Konopka and those around him. Camden Konopka pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man who tried to murder mother by setting fire to home to be under supervision for 10 years. Charges or matters: attempting to murder Fiona Konopka at Coille Dios, Athboy, Co Meath, on September 19, 2019, and causing criminal damage with the intention of endangering life on the same date. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 19, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2024-07-31 Publication
Why: She had kicked him out a few times because of his threatening behaviour and obtained a protection order, but then his attitude improved and she had the order lifted. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: attempting to murder Fiona Konopka at Coille Dios, Athboy, Co Meath, on September 19, 2019, and causing criminal damage with the intention of endangering life on the same date (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Camden Konopka, now aged 24, was given a ten-year sentence for the attempted murder of his mother in what Mr Justice Tony Hunt described as a "distressing" case. Mr Justice Hunt said he would backdate the sentence to May 2020 and that the balance of this sentence would be suspended for 10 years, during which time he is to be put under the supervision of Nua Healthcare Services.
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