Teen admits setting fire to couple’s vehicles in double arson attack

A 15-year-old schoolboy has admitted committing arson by deliberately setting a married couple’s two vehicles on fire and causing over €10,000 worth of damage in the process.

The teenager, who cannot be named because he remains under the age of 18, set fire to the two vehicles at an address in Finea, County Westmeath on March 15, 2025.

Garda Darren Gallagher said the boy was identified as the prime suspect after video evidence was taken from his phone which showed the accused carrying out both incidents.

He said an estimated €8,000 of damage was caused to each vehicle and said the accused made admissions to both when arrested and questioned by gardaí.

The boy was also charged and pleaded guilty to smashing the windows a house in Tullamore, County Offaly on February 9, 2025 and which resulted in €500 of damage being caused.

Garda Gallagher said like the two incidents of arson, videos were later found on the defendant’s phone which had led investigators to believe the boy was the perpetrator.

The court also heard traces of blood found at the scene matched those of the accused.

Louis Kiernan, defending, said his client would be following through on the admissions made to gardaí and following a consultation with both the boy and his mother.

He also added his client was just 14 at the time of the commissioning of the offences before the court.

Judge Bernadette Owens accepted jurisdiction after it was made clear the boy would be entering guilty pleas and remanded him on bail to May 21 for the preparation of a probation report.