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Serial arsonist tried to set garda's car on fire using vegetable oil
Summary
A serial arsonist, Colm Dowling (68), was jailed for 15 months after attempting to set a garda's car on fire using vegetable oil and causing over €7,000 in damage to a commercial premises. Dowling pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal damage and has eight previous convictions, including four for arson. He was found with a lighter and vegetable oil near the garda's car, which had charred tissue and vegetable oil on the windscreen. In another incident, he repeatedly drove a van into a gate, causing damage to the registration plate and wing mirror. The business owner found the damage suspicious and checked CCTV footage. Dowling was identified through the footage and later returned to retrieve the broken registration plate. He has a history of alcoholism and mental health issues, including major depressive disorder. His defence argued that his actions were due to a relapse and a sense of grievance. The judge noted the targeted nature of his offending and imposed a two-year sentence with nine months suspended.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Serial arsonist tried to set garda's car on fire using vegetable oil. Charges or matters: two counts of criminal damage on January 11 last. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 11 Incident
- 2025-12-16 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: two counts of criminal damage on January 11 last (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Dunphy imposed a sentence of two years with the final nine months suspended on strict conditions. Judge Dunphy remanded Dowling on bail to appear at a sitting of Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on Friday in relation to the potential re-activation of the part-suspended sentence.; Judge Dunphy remanded Dowling on bail to appear at a sitting of Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on Friday in relation to the potential re-activation of the part-suspended sentence.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Cypress Avenue
- Dublin
- Dowling's house
Topics
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