Named Dublin arsonist pleads guilty to endangering life of elderly Galway woman at her home
The court was previously told there was no link between the accused and the victim
A 21-year-old Dublin man who pleaded guilty to the arson attack that endangered the life of a woman in her eighties at her home on the Eastside of Galway City is due to be sentenced next month.
The interior and exterior of the victim's home was damaged as was a vehicle parked at the property in the Ballybane area last year.
Darragh Spratt appeared at Galway Circuit Court having previously pleaded guilty to two charges of Criminal Damage.
The case was listed for sentencing but Garry McDonald BL told the court the case fell under the legal aid fees dispute.
State Solicitor for Galway East, Tom McLoughlin, said the Probation Services were seeking an adjournment of three weeks to allow for the preparation of a report on the accused.
The court heard Spratt is a first time offender and is living in Swords, County Dublin.
Judge O'Callaghan noted the accused is on strict bail conditions and the court heard Spratt is abiding by them.
He remanded the accused on continuing bail to appear on December 9 for sentencing.
Judge O'Callaghan said he hoped the legal aid dispute would be "way over by then" and told the accused to continue his engagement with the Probation Services.
In the case, Darragh Spratt, with an address at Boroimhe Birches, Swords, County Dublin pleaded guilty that on March 9, 2025, he did commit arson in that he did without lawful excuse damage by fire property, to wit, the interior and exterior of a property belonging to a woman, intending to damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be damaged and intending by the said damage to endanger the life of another or being reckless as to whether the life of another would be thereby endangered.
The accused is also charged that on March 9, he did commit arson in that he did without lawful excuse damage by fire property, to wit, a Black Renault Clio belonging to a named woman, intending to damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be damaged and intending by the said damage to endanger the life of another or being reckless as to whether the life of another would be thereby endangered.
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