John Paget jailed for petrol bomb arson in Cabra

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

John Paget was sentenced to four years, with the final 12 months suspended, for criminal damage by arson at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Mary Ellen Ring suspended that portion after accepting that others were involved in the offence.

Paget pleaded guilty. The offence took place on 12 December 2013. The proceedings were reported on 27 November 2014.

Paget set fire to a car parked feet from a Cabra house while the homeowner was inside with his three-year-old son and ten-day-old baby.

Paget said he had been paid €50 to carry out the attack by a man who claimed a grudge against the homeowner. Garda Michael O'Brien confirmed that the homeowner had no association with that man and was completely innocent.

Defence counsel Luigi Rea asked the court to accept that the damage was limited to the vehicle and the front edges of the neighbouring house. He agreed with Judge Mary Ellen Ring that this was due to the quick intervention of the homeowner and a passer-by. Counsel said Paget apologised and bore the homeowner no ill will. He also accepted that Paget had not knocked to check whether anyone was home before throwing the petrol bomb.