Serial arsonist gets six years in prison

A serial arsonist who, according to his probation officer, has “a pathological desire to start fires”, has been sentenced to six years in prison for setting fire to two cars in the city last year.

Karl McCarthy (35), with a former address at Abbey House, Newcastle, pleaded guilty before Galway Circuit Criminal Court to two counts of criminal damage involving the burning of two cars on consecutive nights last October.

Garda Paul McNulty told the court he and Garda Evelyn Barrett were on patrol on October 4 last year in the Newcastle area following reports of a spate of house fires in the area over the previous number of days.

At around 10.30pm they received a report of a car on fire at Upper Newcastle Road.

When they arrived at the scene, Garda McNulty said he observed McCarthy, who was known to him, standing nearby looking at the burning car.  He was intoxicated.

Garda McNulty said the 2001 Ford Fiesta was completely engulfed in flames.

He noted McCarthy was in possession of a cigarette lighter and a scissors.

On the previous night around the same time, a 1997 Opel Corsa had been set on fire at the same location.

McCarthy was arrested and taken to Galway Garda Station where he was detained for questioning.  He denied any involvement but eventually admitted setting fire to both cars.

“He couldn’t not give any reason why he did it.  He used the scissors to cut the upholstery to make it easier to set the cars on fire,” Garda McNulty added.

McCarthy received a four-year sentence in December 2013 for several counts of arson committed in the Ballybane/Renmore areas in September 2012.

Houses, cars and wheelie bins were set on fire during those incidents.

Following his release from prison in late 2015, McCarthy stayed at the Fairgreen Hostel before being accepted to stay at  113 Abbey House, Upper Newcastle Road, which is run by the Simon Community, Garda McNulty said.

He said the house is located a short distance from where the fires occurred.

The court was told McCarthy is currently serving a 10-month sentence imposed on him at Galway District Court last October for road traffic matters.

Garda McNulty pointed out McCarthy was out on bail when he committed the arson offences.

In reply to prosecuting barrister, Conor Fahy, Garda McNulty said McCarthy had 70 previous convictions, 59 for road traffic offences; three for theft; three for arson, and the remainder for criminal damage and burglary.

Defence barrister, Geri Silke said her client still does not know why he set both cars alight.

She said he had never been psychologically assessed and she asked that it be done now while he was in prison.

Judge McCabe said McCarthy used a scissors to facilitate the burning of these cars which showed an alarming level of premeditation. The only mitigating factor, he said, was the early plea to the charges.

Judge McCabe said he had been furnished with a very helpful and comprehensive probation report. It stated McCarthy’s risk of reoffending was “very high”.

“He has a propensity for arson for no apparent reason and his offending behaviour is increasing at an alarming rate.

“He is a serious risk of harm to others. He’s a serial arsonist and he can give no reason for arson. His risk of reoffending is very high.

“The probation report states:  ‘He has a pathological desire to start fires’,” Judge McCabe noted.

He said the probation service had stated it saw no role for itself in any possible rehabilitation process.

Judge McCabe said the appropriate sentence was six years for each offence, the sentences to run concurrently.  He recommended McCarthy undergo psychological assessment while in prison.