Man pleads guilty to burning Garda patrol car

A man has pleaded guilty to burning a Garda patrol car outside a Donegal Garda station.

Gary McGinley appeared before Donegal Circuit Court where he pleaded guilty to the arson attack at Castlefin Garda station on January 21, 2023.

McGinley, wearing a green hoodie and grey tracksuit bottoms, spoke only to plead guilty.

The 35-year-old, Emmett Park in Castlefin, was arrested following an operation involving armed Gardai.

McGinley damaged property, namely a Garda patrol car. Damage of €10,000 was caused when a white Hyundai i30 estate was torched just eight feet from the Garda station.

A recent sitting of Letterkenny District Court heard how Mr McGinley admitted pouring petrol on the vehicle just after 4am. The incident was captured on CCTV.

An off-duty Garda, who happened to be passing by the station, managed put out the blaze with a fire extinguisher.

Barrister for McGinley, Mr Peter Nolan BL, sought for a probation and welfare report to be prepared.

Due to the seriousness of the charge, Mr Nolan indicated that he may seek to have a second counsel assigned in the case.

Mr Nolan said he was anxious for the court to have a 'full picture' on his client.

Judge John Aylmer adjourned the matter to the May sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court. Judge Aylmer directed that a probation and welfare report be prepared and asked for an updated psychiatric report.

McGinley was remanded on continuing bail.