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Arsonist jailed for setting fire to cars while high on cocaine
Summary
Richard Kershaw, 37, of Ballyfermot, Dublin 12, was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of arson. Judge Martin Nolan at the Central Criminal Court noted that the damage to vehicles and losses to injured parties amounted to approximately €50,000. The judge stated that the motive was unclear and that Kershaw had no personal animus towards the victims. Although Kershaw has a long record of convictions, including 45 previous District Court convictions, he had not previously served time in custody. The judge set a headline sentence of eight years, reduced to six years due to mitigating factors such as his guilty plea, cooperation with gardaí, work history, and the fact that he lives with his mother, who is in poor health. The final 15 months of the sentence were suspended on conditions, including supervision by the Probation Service upon release. The court heard that Kershaw was highly intoxicated and allegedly using cocaine at the time of the incidents, which occurred over 20 minutes on January 12, 2025. Defence counsel submitted that the offending was linked to addiction and mental health issues, and that Kershaw has since attended residential treatment. Three other counts of criminal damage were taken into consideration. The matter was finalised with the imposition of the custodial sentence and suspended portion.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Arsonist jailed for setting fire to cars while high on cocaine. Charges or matters: four counts of arson. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 12, 2025 Incident
- 2026-05-15 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: four counts of arson (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Sentencing him today, Judge Martin Nolan said that the damage to the vehicles and the loss accrued by the injured parties amounted to about €50,000. "Why he did it is not clear," Judge Nolan said. "He had no personal animus towards the victims from what can be gleaned from the evidence." He noted Kershaw has a "pretty long" record of convictions but has not served time in custody before. "The problem with arson is that when you start a fire, nobody knows where it's going to end," the judge said. "There could have been a lot more property destroyed or injury as a result of the behaviour of this He suspended the final 15 months of that sentence on a number of conditions, including that Kershaw remain under the supervision of the Probation Service for a period upon his release from custody.
Places mentioned
- Croftwood Park
- Dublin
Topics
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