A man who turned himself into a human fireball, after dousing himself with petrol before setting himself alight at a house in Co Monaghan, was remanded in custody by Judge Flann Brennan at the District Court in Ballybay yesterday.
Paul Finnegan (23), Muff, Inniskeen, Co Monaghan, appeared on a charge of causing criminal damage to a house which he set on fire as he also tried to burn himself, at Drumass, Inniskeen, on April 23rd last.
The court heard Mr Finnegan was arrested on Wednesday following his discharge from Louth County Hospital, where he was treated for serious burns. The incident occurred at the home of Linda Brady, with whom Mr Finnegan claimed he had a relationship. She was not in the house at the time.
Gerry Jones, defending, applied for bail and claimed Mr Finnegan never made any threats to Ms Brady but was drinking heavily on the day and only intended to harm himself.
Garda Michael Fitzpatrick told the court that Mr Finnegan claimed there was a relationship between himself and Ms Brady for a number of months, but Ms Brady claimed this was only a casual relationship.
Garda Supt Tom Long objected to bail and said since the incident, Ms Brady feared for her life and her three children. He also said further charges may be forthcoming. He said Ms Brady was unable to return to her home, which was extensively damaged. She was also afraid to move around the village in case Mr Finnegan might attack her.
He said while there were no children in the house at the time of the incident,Mr Finnegan appeared to be totally unaware of this.
But for the rapid response by gardaí who received a call from a relative about the accused's threat to set the premises alight, and burn himself, Mr Finnegan, he said, would have perished in the fire.
Judge Brennan refused bail and recommended the accused receive medical and psychiatric attention. He is due to appear in court next Thursday.