Bail refused for man charged with arson

In objecting to bail, Garda Lorraine Quigley pointed out that the properties had to be totally demolished and rebuilt as a result of the incident, at a cost of around €250,000.

Bail was refused at Cavan District Court today (Thursday 25) in the case of a 34-year-old man alleged to have set fire to Emyvale Garda Station almost two-years-ago.

Seamus Treanor, whose address was given as 4 St Vincent’s Flats, Market Square, Castleblayney, is accused of causing damage by fire to the station building itself as well as an attached outhouse, on October 28, 2019.

In objecting to bail, Garda Lorraine Quigley pointed out that the properties had to be totally demolished and rebuilt as a result of the incident, at a cost of around €250,000.

Judge Denis McLoughlin was also told gardaí believed they had evidence, including DNA samples that would link Mr Treanor to the crime. The court heard the gardaí feared he may pose a flight risk given that he had recently attempted to apply for a passport.

Gda Quigley also confirmed that gardaí still had to check out the Castleblayney address at which the accused had given as his residence.

Mr Treanor previously had addresses at Burnside, Lower Main Street Letterkenny, and at Sruth an Mhuileann, Emyvale.

In remanding the defendant in custody to Cloverhill Prison to appear at Monaghan District Court on March 31, Judge McLoughlin cited the seriousness of the charge, as well as concerns the defendant may be a flight risk, especially in view of his attempts to obtain a passport, and at a time when Covid regulations against non-essential travel were still in place.