Man jailed on Valentine's Day for torching car owned by ex-wife’s new lover

A MAN was jailed on Valentine’s Day for an arson attack on a car owned by his ex-wife’s new lover.

The accused, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his wife of almost 20 years and their children, pleaded guilty to arson and possession of a hatchet.

The woman outlined, in a victim impact statement, how she is afraid to leave home, has nightmares and feels like  someone is watching her.

Prosecuting barrister John O’Sullivan, instructed by State solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the evidence with the assistance of Garda Eoin O’Neill.

Mr O’Sullivan said the arson attack in  a residential housing estate in Limerick occurred shortly after 11pm on a date in July 2024.

“The car was parked in a driveway. CCTV shows the accused smash the car window, pour in liquid from a fuel can, light a rag and throw it in,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

Limerick Fire and Rescue Service were called to put out the blaze and gardai also attended.

Gardai apprehended the accused nearby sitting in a car and found a hatchet on the passenger seat.

“Gardai seized the cap of a petrol can, his clothing and a black lighter,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

The barrister said the accused and his former wife had been married for 18 years until “unhappy differences arose”. The damage caused to the Skoda was €2,500 plus car seats valued at €370.

The woman said in her victim impact statement that she is afraid to leave her home, has trouble sleeping and is constantly afraid someone will break in.

“I can’t concentrate in work. I wonder what will happen next. I was watched by him. The children’s bedroom is right over where it (arson attack on the car) happened. I am afraid of him and what he might try and do to me in the future. I have trouble sleeping and have nightmares. I have the feeling someone is watching me,” said the woman in her  statement which was read out by Mr O’Sullivan.

CCTV footage of the incident was also played for Judge Colin Daly.

Mr O’Sullivan said the defendant has one previous conviction for drink driving from two months prior to this incident. He noted he was banned from driving.

Yvonne Quinn BL, who represented the accused, put it to the garda that her client couldn’t be questioned for hours after he was arrested due to the level of his intoxication. Garda O’Neill agreed.

Ms Quinn then put it to the garda that when her client was interviewed, he made full admissions.

“He said that he and the woman were still married at the time but had been separated for a year. He said he has been in Ireland for 19 years and worked full-time. He said it was his wife’s lover’s car, he damaged it with an axe and set fire to it. He said quite candidly he was jealous of his wife and the new relationships she was in. He said he was worried and came back again after he did it.

“He said he was sorry, emotionally overcome and did it in a fit of rage. He said this man was in his house with his children. He said he didn’t want to hurt anyone. He said he wanted to show her he was angry,” said Ms Quinn.

The garda agreed with the defence barrister that the accused made these admissions to gardai during interview.

Ms Quinn, in her plea of mitigation, said her client had instructed her to apologise to his former wife and the man whose car he damaged.

“This is a very sad and tragic case. They are two people who were in a loving marriage for almost 20 years and have children.  He acknowledges his terrible behaviour and is very regretful that he has caused her to suffer pain. He is deeply apologetic,” said Ms Quinn.

She said there was no excuse for his behaviour, that it was spur of the moment and done in a fit of jealousy and rage. 

Ms Quinn said her client has been on remand since July 20024 and is doing well in custody.

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Judge Daly, in sentencing the defendant, said the man attended at his family home with all the equipment that he needed to carry out this crime of arson - petrol can, axe, rag and a lighter.

“Arson is a very serious offence due to the dangerous and unpredictable nature of fire, the propensity of it spreading and the risk of causing serious harm or death, particularly to the occupants of the house and emergency service.

“The accused targeted a car which is itself a flammable device and the attack was in a residential setting and at a time of night when residents are likely to be home. 

“The residents here were his wife and children. He seems to have been utterly reckless as to the damage that might be caused to the car, the property and the lives of those within the house.”

The judge said the fact that it happened in the context of a marriage breakdown was no excuse.

He took into account the accused’s plea of guilty and apology which he believes is a genuine expression of remorse.

Judge Daly said the fact that it happened in the context of a marriage breakdown was no excuse.

He imposed a four-and-a-half-year prison sentence which was backdated to July 2024.