James Kennedy jailed for arson at Dublin court

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

James Kennedy was jailed for arson at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, with the sentence reported on 9 February 2017. The fire was started on Westland Row on 12 September 2015.

He received four-and-a-half years, with the final two years suspended on strict conditions. The court heard that a woman and child ran from the burning motorbike, which was completely destroyed.

Kennedy had pleaded guilty and had 40 previous convictions, including criminal damage, theft and public-order offences. The judge accepted his alcohol problems but said people must take responsibility for their actions.