Courts / Dublin / Report

Teen gets five years for fire-bombing building earmarked for asylum seekers

Date
2025-02-18

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Tallaght

County
Dublin

Summary

Andy Donohue, 19, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to one count of arson at St John's House, High Street, Tallaght, on May 24 last year. The defendant admitted to petrol-bombing the building, which had been earmarked for asylum seekers, causing €28,000 in damage. Judge Martin Nolan stated that Donohue was "inspired by racism and some political motive" when committing the offence. Although the offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, the judge set a headline sentence of 10 years, reduced to six years following mitigation. The final year of the sentence was suspended on a number of conditions, and the sentence was backdated to when Donohue entered custody. Defence counsel argued that the teenager had been led astray by racist influences following a challenging childhood, noting that Donohue has since expressed shame and is studying for his Leaving Certificate while in custody. A female security guard inside the building at the time fled safely, and no injuries were reported. Donohue, who has no previous convictions, was identified via CCTV footage and arrested shortly after the incident.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Teen gets five years for fire-bombing building earmarked for asylum seekers. Charges or matters: one count of arson at St John's House, High Street, Tallaght on May 24 last year. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

May 24 Incident
2025-02-18 Publication

Why: However because she left her phone and other personal belongings inside, fire fighters dealing with the blaze initially feared for her safety before she was located safe and uninjured. CNI source report

Case subjects

Andy Donohue

Defendant

Charges: one count of arson at St John's House, High Street, Tallaght on May 24 last year (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Handing down sentence, Judge Martin Nolan said Donohue was "inspired by racism and some political motive" when he decided to petrol bomb the building. He suspended the final year of the sentence on a number of conditions and backdated the sentence to when Donohue went into custody.