Man accused of causing two million euro worth of damage in pub arson attack

A man has appeared in court charged with arson after a former pub, which had been earmarked for homeless accommodation, was destroyed in a fire causing two million euro worth of damage.

Steven McDonnell, with an address in Cambridge Park in Ringsend, appeared before Dublin District Court on Thursday.

The 49-year-old faces a charge of criminal damage by fire.

The former pub on Thorncastle Street was set ablaze in the early hours of New Year’s Eve amid speculation it was going to be used to house immigrants.

No-one was in the building at the time of the incident but the court was told that more than two million euro worth of damage was caused to the disused pub.

The father of four, who denies the charge, appeared before Judge Fiona Brennan.

Judge Brennan remanded McDonnell in custody with consent to strict bail conditions.

McDonnell must pay his bond of 250 euro and lodge an independent surety or cash to the amount of 2,500 euro.

On Thursday, garda detective sergeant Jonathan Kelly told the court that McDonnell was arrested at his home shortly before 7.30am on Thursday and was taken to a garda station for questioning.

Mr Kelly told the court that when charged with the offence of arson he made no reply.

Mr Kelly said there were two objections to bail including the seriousness of the charge and the damage caused to the building which cost in excess of two million euro.

He said there was also potential for the fire to spread into an adjoining building where people lived.

Defence solicitor Tony Collier said his client has been living in the Ringsend area for around 15 years. He is a married man with four children and has no previous convictions.

Mr Collier said his client is “asserting his innocence”.

He said McDonnell has a responsible job as a crane driver and is the main breadwinner for the family, and that his children are all in school.

His solicitor said that he is “deeply rooted” in the community.

“He is a man who has significant links to the community,” Mr Collier added.

His solicitor handed in a copy of his financial means, saying his client has a reasonable income.

As part of his bail conditions, McDonnell must surrender his passport, not loiter in Thorncastle Street or Fitzwilliam Street and have no contact by any means with the owner of the destroyed pub.

McDonnell is also required to sign on at a garda station three times a week.

McDonnell, who was granted legal aid, is to appear before court again on Wednesday March 27.

In their appeal for witnesses earlier this year, gardai said they are aware of “a significant volume of misinformation, disinformation and rumour in relation to the use or proposed use” of the building.

The Department of Integration confirmed there were no plans to use the building for that purpose.

It later emerged the premises was intended for use as emergency accommodation for homeless families.