Man who made fire threat denied bail

A man who tried to set fire to himself and a number of cars at a Garda station was refused bail yesterday.

A man who tried to set fire to himself and a number of cars at a Garda station was refused bail yesterday.

Stanley Buchans (34), no fixed address, was charged with possession of a can of stolen petrol with the intention of causing criminal damage at Drogheda Garda station last Monday evening.

Garda Thomas Quinn objected to bail because there was a warrant out for the arrest of Mr Buchans, and because of the seriousness of the charges.

It was alleged Mr Buchans stole a can of petrol from a filling station and went to the car park of Drogheda Garda station.

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He then threw petrol on a number of cars before pouring it on himself and threatening to light it.

The court was told he was a drug addict and had made an attempt to come off heroin before the alleged incident occurred.

He was an unemployed father of two, and was in a position to reside with his sister in Drogheda and sign on at the Garda station every day.

Mr Buchans told Judge Ann Ryan he was prepared to be "of sober habits" if granted bail.

Judge Ryan said because of the serious nature of the crime, and the possible danger to other members of the public, she was refusing bail.

She remanded Mr Buchans in custody to appear in Drogheda District Court on Friday.

The judge also recommended medical and psychiatric treatment as may be appropriate.