Courts / Dublin / Report
Arsonist set fire to house while woman and children were inside
Summary
An arsonist, David Fannin, 29, was jailed for 16 months after setting fire to a house in Ballymun on 24 September 2020 while a woman and her two young children were inside. Fannin admitted he had been instructed by another man, to whom he owed money, to carry out the arson. He smashed the back door and a back window, which a child was wounded by broken glass while escaping. The court heard that the woman's ex‑partner was the co‑accused who has fled the country. Judge Martin Nolan noted the seriousness of arson and that Fannin was "inveigled" by the other man, but that he knew his actions were wrong. He was given a four‑year sentence, with the final 32 months suspended on strict conditions. The case highlighted the danger of arson and the need for punishment. David Fannin pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Arsonist set fire to house while woman and children were inside. Charges or matters: carrying out the arson at the house in Ballymun and to intentionally damaging the back door of the house on September 24, 2020. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 24, 2020 Adjournment
- 2025-02-12 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: carrying out the arson at the house in Ballymun and to intentionally damaging the back door of the house on September 24, 2020 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: During the sentence hearing, Judge Martin Nolan noted: "This family could have been incinerated if things had gone wrong." Fannin pleaded guilty to carrying out the arson at the house in Ballymun and to intentionally damaging the back door of the house on September 24, 2020. Judge Nolan imposed a four-year prison sentence, suspending the final 32 months on strict conditions.; After hearing facts on Monday, the judge adjourned the case to today for finalisation.
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