Arson suspect denies setting derelict pub ablaze
A MAN has appeared in court charged with arson after a former pub, which had been earmarked for homeless accommodation, was destroyed in a fire causing €2million worth of damage.
Steven McDonnell, with an address at Cambridge Park in Ringsend, Dublin, appeared before Dublin District Court yesterday.
The 49-year-old faces a charge of criminal damage by fire.
The father-of-four, who denies the charge, appeared before Judge Fiona Brennan.
The former pub on Thorncastle Street in Ringsend was set ablaze in the early hours of New Year’s Eve amid speculation it was going to be used to house immigrants. The court was told that more than €2million worth of damage was caused to the disused pub.
Judge Brennan remanded Mr McDonnell in custody with consent to strict bail conditions. The accused must pay his bond of €250 and lodge an independent surety or cash to the amount of €2,500.
Detective Sergeant Jonathan Kelly told the court Mr McDonnell was arrested at his home shortly before 7.30am yesterday and taken to a Garda station for questioning.
Det Sgt Kelly said that when charged with arson, the accused made no reply. He said there were two objections to bail including the seriousness of the charge and the damage caused to the building. He said there was also potential for the fire to spread into an adjoining building where people lived.
Defence solicitor Tony Collier said his client has been living in the Ringsend area for around 15 years. He is a married man with four children and has no previous convictions.
Mr Collier said his client is ‘asserting his innocence’ and that Mr McDonnell has a responsible job as a crane driver and is the main breadwinner for the family, and his children are all in school.
As part of his bail conditions, the accused must surrender his passport, not loiter in Thorncastle Street or Fitzwilliam Street and must have no contact by any means with the owner of the destroyed pub.
Mr McDonnell, who was granted legal aid, is also required to sign on at a Garda station three times a week. He is to appear before court again next Wednesday, March 27.