Man in court over arson attack on Waterford home

A man has been charged over a petrol bomb attack on a Waterford house which left three children injured.

Gregory Hennessy (23) of Priory Lawn, Waterford, was brought before a special sitting of Waterford District Court this afternoon.

Det Sgt Siobhan Keating told Judge Gerard Furlong that she arrested and charged Mr Hennessy at Waterford Garda station in the early hours of this morning and he made no reply to either of the charges.

The accused is charged with reckless endangerment by allegedly throwing a petrol bomb through the sitting room window of 46 Ardmore Park, Ballybeg, Waterford, on Thursday night, “which created a substantial risk of death or serious harm to another”.

He is also charged with committing criminal damage by fire to the sitting room and contents of the house.

Mr Hennessy’s solicitor Kenny Cunningham applied for free legal aid, telling the court his client is “not in gainful employment”.

There was no application for bail.

Mr Hennessy, who was wearing jeans and a white T-shirt, was not called upon to speak in court.

Mr Cunningham asked that Mr Hennessy be medically assessed on arrival in prison “for an underlying condition” and also that a request go to the prison governor that his client be assessed as a candidate for protective custody.

Inspector Anthony Dineen said such a move “would be most appropriate in the circumstances”.

Judge Furlong said it was “a matter for the governor” of the prison but agreed to make the recommendations.

He remanded Mr Hennessy in custody to appear again before Waterford District Court on Tuesday.

Members of the Garda regional support unit were in the vicinity of the building while up to 10 gardaí were present in court for the brief remand hearing.

Roisin Halligan (11), her one-year-old cousin Lexie and three-month-old cousin William were injured in the incident. They were in their grandmother Nellie Halligan’s house when it was attacked.