Arsonist who brought about €130,000 of harm to be sentenced

A person who’s charged with inflicting €130,000 to a home in an arson assault has been given ‘one final likelihood’ after breaching his bail circumstances.

Glen Friel, a 23-year-old whose handle is given as ‘no mounted’ abode, was arrested on Monday and introduced earlier than Tuesday’s sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Courtroom, the place a bail utility on his behalf was made.

The court docket heard that Friel has dedicated 4 offences, together with one other arson, because the incident at Straleeny, Killybegs on April 22, 2020. Friel has pleaded responsible to that offence.

In objecting to bail, Gardai knowledgeable the court docket that Friel has not signed on at a Garda station since regardless of being due to take action twice per week.

Ten earlier bench warrants have been in existence and he has been charged with 4 offenses – legal harm, particularly arson; two public order offenses; and one for failing to look at court docket – since this incident.

The court docket was knowledgeable that Friel has two earlier convictions for failing to look. Friel was arrested on Bridge Avenue, Donegal City at 1.30pm on Monday on foot of a bench warrant.

Gardai objected to bail because of the seriousness of the offence, the truth that he had dedicated 4 offences whereas on bail, that he has not been complying with bail and his historical past of non-compliance.

Mr Peter Nolan BL, barrister for Friel, mentioned his consumer suffers from a psychological well being sickness and is present process remedy.

Mr Nolan mentioned Friel has been residing and dealing in Letterkenny and is coping with his issues ‘as finest as he can’. Mr Nolan mentioned Friel doesn’t know his dad and mom and lives together with his brother who was described as being ‘supportive’.

Mr Nolan mentioned Friel had beforehand been granted bail by the District Courtroom. “Jail could be completely disastrous,” Mr Nolan mentioned.

Friel took to the witness field and mentioned he hadn’t appeared at court docket on two dates in December 2022 as he ‘wasn’t effectively’. He informed the court docket that he hasn’t labored since final 12 months. Friel mentioned he was unaware that he2 was on account of signal on and informed Decide John Aylmer that he was ready to abide by circumstances set by the court docket.

Mr Nolan requested the court docket to be as lenient as attainable and mentioned stringent circumstances might be imposed.

Decide Aylmer famous that Friel ‘wasn’t hiding from Gardai’ and has a ‘very important historical past of psychological well being points’.

“I’ll give him one final likelihood,” Decide Aylmer mentioned. “I’ll give him the advantage of doubt, however the court docket may be very involved.”

Friel was ordered to abstain from alcohol and unprescribed medicine and should signal on every day at an agreed Garda station. Friel is to not apply for a passport and warned that bail might be revoked if he commits one other offence.

The matter was adjourned till the December sitting of Donegal Circuit Courtroom when Friel might be sentenced.

Arsonist who brought about €130,000 of harm to be sentenced was final modified: June twenty eighth, 2023 by Employees Author