Drug dealer pressurised addict into carrying out arson
On reading a Sunday newspaper report that vigilantes from the area were responsible for the fire which happened on September 2, 2015, near Pallasgreen, he pressurised an addict who owed him a large drugs debt to carry out random arson attacks in the area.
Limerick Circuit Court was told that, in the attacks on three farms, sheds, out buildings and large quantities of hay and feed were destroyed. In one fire two bullocks were also lost.
The total cost to the victims amounted to €80,000.
John Ryan, aged 24, of Carraig Beg, Doon, Co Limerick was yesterday jailed for carrying out the three farm attacks.
The first arson was carried out by Ryan on September 28, 2015, in the Doon area.
A shed with hay and two bulloks were destroyed costing the owner €15,000. The second arson attack on October 5, 2015, also near Doon, cost the farmer €43,000, and the third attack on October 6, 2015, near Oola, resulted in a loss to the farmer amounting to €22,000.
When arrested, Ryan told gardaí he owned one of the sulky horses which died as a restult of smoke injuries and was extremely annoyed.
He claimed he embarked on a mission of revenge on reading in a newspaper that vigilantes from the Doon area were responsible.
However when interviewed by a psychologist as part of a court order, Ryan said the attacks were sheer acts of stupidity.
Ryan further admitted he carried the arson attacks on the orders of a man he feared and who he owed €16,000 in drugs debts. This drugs dealer had beaten him up in the past. Ryan, the court was told, made no mention in theinterview with the psychologist about owning one of the sulky horses.
Judge Tom O’Donnell said these premeditated acts of wanton destruction had cost some of the victims a lot of money as they did not have insurance.
He jailed Ryan for six years with the last 18 months suspended. Judge O’Donnell back dated the sentence to October 15, 2015, since when Ryan has been in custody.
