GARDAÍ objected to bail being granted yesterday to a man accused of setting fire to a Cork City Council house where he was a tenant.
Front of the premises at 23 Hollywood Estate, that was extensively damaged by fire. Picture: Larry Cummins
Inspector Fergal Foley said of the State objection: “It is a public interest concern.”
Anthony Hayes faces a charge of arson by allegedly setting fire to 23 Hollywood Estate, a house owned by Cork City Council where the defendant was residing.
Detective Garda Aidan Forrest said it was alleged by the State that on Saturday, June 25, Hayes allegedly set fire to furniture in the house thereby causing a fire that resulted in €125,000 damage being caused.
“The house was totally gutted. CCTV allegedly shows the defendant entering and exiting the house at the time of the alleged incident and that witnesses also placed him at the scene,” Det Garda Forrest said.
The detective said that the possible sentence for arson on conviction was life imprisonment.
“The defendant’s own house was burnt to the ground and damage was also done to houses on either side of it. He says he has a serious alcohol and prescription tablets problem, which would have contributed to him committing the alleged offence.
“And it may cause him to commit other serious offences,” the detective said.
Frank Buttimer, defence solicitor, said: “The unique nature of this charge is that the accused committed the damage to the family home. It arose out of a feeling of anger or upset regarding a domestic matter that happened very shortly before this incident.”
Mr Buttimer said the prosecution case was that all parties at the house left and that Hayes returned and committed the arson.
The solicitor said the concern of the gardaí related to their perception of the volatility of the defendant.
Det. Garda Forrest said that they would have that concern if the defendant took intoxicants.
Mr Buttimer said that the defendant’s partner, who lost her home as a result of this, was supportive of Hayes who was trying while in custody to deal with his addiction difficulties.
Hayes, who was in tears in the witness box, said yesterday that he had been attending a counsellor and psychiatrist in prison and was keen to continue with such treatment whenever he was released.
Inspector Foley said that if there was evidence in court of the defendant’s definitive plans for rehabilitation then the State would not be opposed to bail. Judge Leo Malone adjourned the case for a fortnight for that to be done. Mr Butttimer said: “Cards on the table, he has admitted the offence, he is at a very low ebb.”
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