A Dublin man accused of the murder of a baby boy killed in an arson attack on a house in Darndale last year admitted throwing the petrol bomb which caused the blaze, his trial has heard.
In the Central Criminal Court, Mr Gerard Redmond (36), of Ferrycarrig Park, Fairfield, Coolock, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Adam Lieghio, who was just a month short of his second birthday when he died in the fire at the house in Buttercup Park, Darndale, on July 23rd, 2000. Mr Redmond also denies two associated charges of arson.
The prosecution claims Mr Redmond threw the petrol bomb into the kitchen of the house to take revenge on Steffanio Lieglio, who normally lived there and who, according to witnesses, had earlier attacked him, causing a head injury.
Adam Lieghio died from smoke and gas inhalation in the fire which followed the petrol bomb attack. Five others, including the child's mother, grandmother, a teenage boy and two children aged 10 and three, escaped from the blaze.
In uncontested statements made to garda∅, Mr Redmond first denied any involvement in the attack, claiming that those who had accused him were "all full of E's and drugs". He later admitted throwing the petrol bomb.
The prosecution case will continue today.