Two Louth men held on IPAS Centre arson charge further remanded

By Francis Carroll, The Drogheda Independent

Two men charged in connection with a fire at an IPAS centre in Drogheda have been further remanded in custody.

They appeared separately at Drogheda District Court on Monday via video link after being brought before a special sitting of the court last Thursday night when bail was refused.

Josh Devlin (24) Dun Eimear, Bettystown, is charged with committing arson at the residential centre on George's Street, Drogheda on October 31, 2025.

Jonathan Judge (22) Irish Street, Ardee, is accused of committing arson with intent to endanger life at the centre on the same date.

Judge Nicola Andrews remanded the defendants in custody to November 24 for DPP directions.

At the original bail hearing last Thursday night, Detective Garda Gary O’Donohoe, who arrested Mr Devlin, and Detective Garda Mick Dickson, who arrested Mr Judge, both objected to bail, given the seriousness of the alleged offence. The court heard that extensive CCTV footage allegedly captured both individuals before, during and after the alleged incident and the court who shown some of this footage during the hearings which lasted over an hour.