Serial arsonist jailed in Louth after fire behind shop destroyed €3,000 refrigeration container

By Francis Carroll, The Drogheda Independent

A serial arsonist who started a fire at the rear of a Drogheda shop has been jailed for 1 year and 3 months.

Joseph O’Connor (39) pleaded guilty to arson at Centra, Hardmans Gardens, on March 16, 2022.

A sentence hearing at Dundalk Circuit Court heard the defendant, homeless at the time of this incident, had 43 previous convictions, including six for arson.

Judge Dara Hayes said that a custodial sentence was an inevitability, given yet another conviction for offending of this type.

A fire alarm was activated at 3.20am after bins were set on fire. The blaze destroyed a €3,000 refrigeration container.

In addition to the fire service, ESB personnel attended the scene.

CCTV identified the accused who was arrested on the following August 4.

Mr O’Connor, the eldest of 9 children, has significant hearing difficulties. Most of the offending occurred while he was intoxicated.

A father of three children with two different mothers, he has limited contact with any of them.

Three probation reports were available, described as mixed in nature by Judge Hayes.

The defendant was assessed at high risk of re-offending. He began drinking at eight years of age and abusing substances at 14.

While he had engaged with different services, there was concern over his communication difficulties.

Barrister Ronan O’Carroll said that Mr O’Connor did not have evidence of clean urinalysis.

He had not come to further garda attention and since last November was back residing with his mother.

Judge Hayes said a report noted a denial of ongoing addiction issues, while he only returned to The Red Door Project under pressure from his probation officer.

Mr O’Connor was deemed unsuitable for community service but the court had not asked for an assessment, nor was it contemplating an order in that regard.

The judge continued that this was serious offending which occurred at night when the shop was closed.

The defendant had co-operated with gardaí and the court also took into account “the significant disability of his deafness”.

A two-and-a-half year sentence was imposed as it was yet another arson conviction, while his engagement with services had been less than it ought to have been.

Judge Hayes added that to encourage Joseph O’Connor to take the remaining steps he needs to take, the final 15 months will be suspended for 15 months post-release.

The defendant must place himself under 12 months Probation Service supervision when he gets out of jail.

The court asked that a transcript of the proceedings be prepared and given to Mr O’Connor.