A man has pleaded guilty in connection with an arson attack which caused more than €500,000 of damage to an apartment block, several cars and shops.
Paul McGinley, aged 31, appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court in Co Donegal today.
McGinley pleaded guilty to two charges of arson and also of reckless endangerment.
The court heard how the charges arise out of an incident during which petrol was poured on two cars in an underground car park at Rosemount Lane in Letterkenny on September 29th, 2016.
Among the property damaged was a total of nine cars including a BMW, Ford Focus, Renault Megane, Opel Astra, Nissan Micra.
As well as the vehicles and the car park, adjoining businesses including Watson’s Menswear and O’Hehir’s Bakery were also damaged in the blaze.
A previous sitting of the court heard how the damage caused as a result of the blaze was in the region of €500,000.
Paul McGinley of Gortahork who is charged in connection with a massive fire in Letterkenny. Pic by Northwest Newspix.
McGinley, from Glen Hola, Gortahork admitted the arson attack at the location.
He also pleaded guilty to intentionally or recklessly pouring petrol on two cars and placing a gas cylinder beside them and then setting them on fire creating a substantial risk of death or harm.
The accused man’s barrister, Richard Lyons (SC), requested an adjournment in the case to allow for a probation and welfare report.
Judge John Aylmer agreed to adjourn the case for sentencing until April next.
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