A judge yesterday said immediate sentences would not serve any purpose in the case of two Kerry youths who faced a total of 41 criminal charges.
The Circuit Criminal Court in Tralee heard that Gregory O'Connor (17), of Seanachnoc, Baile an Fheirtéaraigh, caused more than €1 million arson damage to his school.
O'Connor entered the CBS Secondary School, An Daingean, on January 1st, 2005 and set it on fire. On February 11th he set fire to a prefab which was being used to replace facilities, causing €30,000 damage.
Together with a fellow pupil, Sam Lynch (18), of Ceathrü, Dunquin, he took part in a series of burglaries, larcenies and taking of cars without the consent of owners in Dingle and the west Kerry Gaeltacht area between October 2004 and February 2005.
Between them, the two teenagers faced 41 charges, O'Connor with 24 and Lynch with 17.
Dingle GP Dr Micheál Fanning said O'Connor was "sincerely remorseful". Psychiatrist Dr Brian McCaffrey, who interviewed O'Connor, said he was not the typical young man involved in starting fires. He was now well adjusted.
Judge Carroll Moran said the two men warranted substantial prison sentences. However both had pleaded guilty, they had no previous convictions, and Dr Fanning, Dr McCaffrey, and the investigating Garda Frank Quaid said they were unlikely to reoffend.
The judge said he was impressed by the boys' parents who were embarrassed their neighbours were victims. They had insisted their sons co-operate and pay compensation. The case was adjourned to November for sentences. The accused are on bail on condition they remain in the care of the probation service.