Woman pleads guilty to arson

A woman who set fire to her boyfriend's home after a lovers' tiff and then to her family home has been remanded in custody by…

A woman who set fire to her boyfriend's home after a lovers' tiff and then to her family home has been remanded in custody by Judge Frank O'Donnell.

Mary Murphy, Cherry Park, Clones, Co Monaghan, pleaded guilty to arson on May 31st, 1997.

Mr Gerry O'Brien, defending, said his client had a fight with her father earlier in the week and went on a drinking binge.

Judge O'Donnell remanded Murphy in custody for sentence on June 16th and directed preparation of probationary and psychological reports.

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Garda Peter Mulryan told prosecuting counsel, Mr George Birmingham, that Murphy had three previous convictions and set fire to her family home six months after that of her boyfriend.

Garda Mulryan said that on the night of the fire Murphy and her boyfriend got very drunk and returned to his home where they continued drinking. A row ensued and Murphy went downstairs, turned on the gas cooker and set fire to the kitchen. Murphy's boyfriend was asleep upstairs and had to be rescued by neighbours. Murphy tried to re-enter the blazing house but was restrained.