This article is from page 55 of the 2013-11-26 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 55 JPG
A MAN who set fire to a garden shed owned by a man who harassed his mother has been told to pay 100% compensation for the damage or go to jail.
Aaron Moylan (21) pleaded guilty in May to damaging two sheds in the Hawthorns, Limerick Road, Ennis on June 27, 2012.
The court heard Mr Moylan committed the offence at the house of a man who had previously pleaded guilty to harassing his mother.
At the time, Judge Patrick Durcan said that while Mr Moylan’s motivation was out of “loyalty and love for his mother”, it was a “very serious and dangerous offence to commit.”
Judge Durcan had adjourned the case to allow the accused pay compensation for the damage caused.
At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, defence solicitor Tara Godfrey said her client had paid € 300 compensation so far. The court heard the total amount of compensation due is € 1300.
Ms Godfrey explained the court had mistakenly been informed previously that all compensation had been paid.
She said Mr Moylan, with an address at Abbey Court, Ennis lost his job earlier this year after his employer read about his act of arson in a local paper.
Ms Godfrey said her client required time to save money.
She explained Mr Moylan is currently studying sports science but the course won’t be finished until September 2014.
Judge Patrick Durcan said the case had been “dribbling on” and he was going to deal with it in September. “It’s 100% compo (compensation) or jail,” he told Mr Moylan.
Paraphrasing an expression made famous by former British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, Judge Durcan said, “The Judge is not for turning.”
The case was adjourned to September 24, 2014 for payment of compensation.