A 48-year-old man was remanded in custody today after he was charged with arson in connection with a fire at a historic church in Dublin.
Smoke and water damage were caused to the 19th century St Catherine's Church at Meath Street in the Liberties after a fire broke out yesterday evening. It took firefighters two hours to bring the blaze under control.
Patrick Currie was arrested at Meath Street at about 4.45pm yesterday and taken to Kevin Street Garda station.
Mr Currie, who is of no fixed abode, appeared at Dublin District Court this morning charged with arson under the Criminal Damage Act.
Gda Brian Hawkins told Judge Timothy Lucey that Mr Currie "made no reply to the charge".
He said a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Gda Hawkins also told the court that he was objecting to bail.
Defence solicitor Michael O'Connor told Judge Lucey he was not applying for bail at this stage. "There is a serious psychiatric issue here," he said.
Mr O'Connor also said a psychiatric assessment of his client was "urgently required" and asked Judge Lucey to make that part of his order.
Judge Lucey agreed to the request and remanded Mr Currie in custody to appear again at Cloverhill District Court on January 10th.
Legal aid was granted.