Courts / Carlow / Report

DPP seeks increased sentences for trio in "targeted" arson case

Date
2025-04-28

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Tullow

County
Carlow

Summary

The DPP has appealed against the sentences imposed on Keith McCormack Smith, Jason Ryle, and PJ Lyons following their guilty pleas for arson and other offences in May 2022. The prosecution argues the sentences were unduly lenient for a targeted, pre-meditated attack where a stolen Toyota was rammed into Tip Top Tanning Studio in Carlow, causing over €250,000 in damage while residents slept above. McCormack Smith, who had 24 previous convictions, was sentenced to six years with the final two suspended. Ryle and Lyons, who had 29 and 17 previous convictions respectively, each received five and a half years with the final two suspended. The DPP contends the headline sentence of eight years was too low, citing aggravating factors including the use of accelerant and the defendants being on bail. Defence counsel argued the sentences were appropriate, noting the men were acting on instructions to clear a drug debt and had made full admissions. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, viewed video footage of the incident and reserved its judgment to be delivered at a later date.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: DPP seeks increased sentences for trio in "targeted" arson case. Charges or matters: arson arising out of the same incident; a number of other charges including unlawful use of a motor vehicle, attempted theft and theft on various dates in May 2022; arson at Tip Top Tanning Studio, Tullow Street, Carlow on May 17, 2022, and arson to a Toyota car on the same date and at the same location; various other charges including unlawful use of a motor vehicle, unlawful carriage in a motor vehicle and theft between May 16 and May 17, 2022. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

May 17, 2022 Incident
May 16 Hearing Or Sentence
July 31, 2024 Incident
May 2022 Incident
February 2024 Incident
January 23, 2022 Incident
2025-04-28 Publication

Case subjects

Jason Ryle

Convicted Person

Charges: arson arising out of the same incident; a number of other charges including unlawful use of a motor vehicle, attempted theft and theft on various dates in May 2022 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Ryle was sentenced to five and a half years imprisonment with the final two years suspended while Lyons was also handed a sentence of five and a half years with the final two years suspended for a period of two years and three months.

McCormack Smith

Appellant

Charges: arson at Tip Top Tanning Studio, Tullow Street, Carlow on May 17, 2022, and arson to a Toyota car on the same date and at the same location; various other charges including unlawful use of a motor vehicle, unlawful carriage in a motor vehicle and theft between May 16 and May 17, 2022; arson arising out of the same incident; a number of other charges including unlawful use of a motor vehicle, attempted theft and theft on various dates in May 2022 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Eugene O'Kelly sentenced McCormack Smith to six years with the final two years suspended at Carlow Circuit Court on July 31, 2024. In February 2024, McCormack Smith was sentenced to three years and two months with the final 12 months suspended for his role in a series of offences on January 23, 2022 during which a man died.

Pj Lyons

Convicted Person

Charges: arson arising out of the same incident; a number of other charges including unlawful use of a motor vehicle, attempted theft and theft on various dates in May 2022 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty