Man ‘threw petrol bottle into his family home’
The allegation was denied by the accused man who admitted other charges on the same night which involved vandalism to several cars.
John Forde, of 32 Killala Gardens, Knocknaheeny, Cork, was before Cork District Court on charges of carrying out arson at a house in Cork City and causing criminal damage to a car.
He denied the charge of arson at the family home on August 26 but admitted causing damage to three cars at Innishannon Road, Fairhill, Cork, one at Kilmore Road and another at Churchfield Way Upper on the same date.
Forde admitted two charges of engaging in threatening behaviour on the same date.
Diarmuid Kelleher, solicitor, said the defendant’s mother was withdrawing her statement of complaint in relation to the criminal damage to the house. However, Judge Con O’Leary noted that the owner of the house was Cork City Council and that it would be a matter for them also to decide if they would be maintaining a complaint of criminal damage.
Judge O’Leary said he would put the matter back for a fortnight for the prosecution to consider the arson charge. He asked for a probation report to be prepared in advance of sentencing on the charges relating to damaging the cars.
Mr Kelleher said it all arose out of a row the accused was having with his sister over a small amount of money that he owed to her.
In relation to the arson charge at the house in Killala Gardens, Inspector Mary King said it was alleged that he threw a bottle of Coke filled with petrol through the window. Gardaí arriving on the scene noted the accused allegedly saying: “I am sorry for what I’ve done to the house.”
