Donegal pensioner admits arson over gorse fire that caused over €300,000 damage

A west Donegal pensioner has admitted damaging homes and property in a major gorse fire.

Anthony O’Donnell, a former police officer in the UK, tendered guilty pleas to four charges of arson when he appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court.

Over €300,000 in damage was caused by a fire that raged at Easter, 2019.

O’Donnell’s barrister, Mr Colm Smyth SC, told the court that the fire was started by the burning of refuse.

“Unfortunately, the fire went out of control and spread to the property,” Mr Smyth said.

O’Donnell, a 79-year-old of Glen Lodge, Drumnacart Mountain, Burtonport, Co Donegal is charged with four counts of arson, contrary to section 2 (1) and (4) of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991, all relating to April 19, 2019.

He is charged with damaging by fire property at Drumnacart, Annagry, to wit, the dwelling house of Ann Beggs, including the contents therein, and an oil tank with a combined value of €220,000. 

The defendant is also charged with arson and causing extensive damage to the value of €21,500 caused to the rear dwelling house of Eugene Morgan at Drumnacart, Annagry. 

He is also charged with arson with extensive damage to the rear of the dwelling house and garage of Stefan Bullon to a combined value of €70,000 at Rannyhaul, Kincasslagh. 

O’Donnell is further charged with arson, causing damage to a shed belonging to Nancy McLaughlin containing two vintage Massey Ferguson tractors at Drumnacart, Annagary. 

Mr Smyth told Judge John Aylmer that the guilty pleas were entered on the basis of recklessness rather than intention.

“It was a reckless pursuit,” Mr Smyth said. Barrister for the State, Ms Fiona Crawford BL, agreed that this was the case. 

The barrister asked for a legal aid certificate to be extended to cover a medical report from a GP in Scotland. Mr Smyth also asked that a probation report be prepared for his client, who he said has no previous convictions.

Mr Smyth said O’Donnell served previously as a police officer in the UK and is agreeable to returning to Ireland to meet his probation.

The matter was adjourned until the February sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court for sentencing.

In July, when O’Donnell was initially due before the court, Judge Roderick Maguire expressed “disappointment” that the accused did not show up. Legal representatives for O’Donnell claimed that the accused man did not have the capacity to attend. 

“There is a concern about his capacity now - that should’ve been addressed,” Judge Maguire said at the time. “That is not acceptable.”