Court of Appeal resentences Andy Donohue over Tallaght arson

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

The Court of Appeal resentenced Andy Donohue on 7 October 2025 following his appeal against the severity of his sentence for arson.

Donohue pleaded guilty on 15 November 2024 to one count of arson. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced him on 18 February 2025 to six years’ imprisonment with one year suspended, backdated to 27 May 2024.

Detective Garda Monahan gave evidence at sentencing that Donohue used petrol bombs to set fire to St John’s House in Tallaght on 21 May 2024. The building was designated to house international protection applicants. A security guard escaped through a back door physically unharmed, and the damage amounted to approximately €28,000.

The offence was captured on CCTV and Donohue’s DNA was found on a lighter at the scene. He was 18 at the time and had no previous convictions. The sentencing judge considered his racist and political motives an aggravating feature, while also taking account of his youth, background, work history and academic and sporting dedication.

On appeal, Donohue argued that the 10-year headline sentence was excessive and that insufficient consideration had been given to mitigation and rehabilitation. He also submitted that it should not be assumed he knew a security guard was inside. The prosecution maintained that the headline sentence was within the sentencing judge’s discretion.

This case may have concluded differently. The outcome has not yet been confirmed by a public source we could find.