A Burglar who could not find anything to steal in a Church of Ireland parochial hall set fire to it, causing £170,000 of damage. Darren Lynch was given a 51/2year suspended sentence by Judge Joseph Mathews at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and also ordered not to apply for a passport in the coming year.
Judge Mathews further ordered Lynch to remain under the supervision of the probation service, to sign on weekly at Whitehall Garda station and to live with his parents for the next year. He can only change his address in the next year with the court's permission.
Lynch (22), of Oak Park Drive, Santry, Dublin, pleaded guilty to arson at the hall at Church Lane, Santry, on November 29th, 1994.
Garda Niall Jones said Lynch's previous convictions included a 30month sentence from Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in 1992 for aggravated burglary at the Church of Ireland rectory on Church Lane, Santry.
The judge warned Lynch: "Many would say you do not merit the chance I'm giving you, but this is your last call. If you offend at all in the next four years you could face the next 10 years in prison in consecutive sentences."
Garda Jones told prosecuting counsel, Mr Brendan Grehan, that Lynch and a youth broke into the hall some time after midnight while very drunk. Lynch admitted he set fire to blankets in the hall after finding nothing to steal.
Garda Jones agreed with defence counsel, Mr Michael O'Higgins, that the youth told gardai he started the fire by lighting mats near the rear of the hall.
Judge Mathews asked why this other named person had not been charged with arson before the Circuit Criminal Court equally with Lynch in view of the replies he gave to gardai who arrested him.