Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 0466Arson · Co. Dublin · 24 Jan 2025

17-year-old boy charged with arson in Dublin drug intimidation campaign

A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is charged with arson and other offences after allegedly setting fire to two homes and torching three cars during a drug intimidation campaign in Dublin's Glenageary area between 24 January and 2 March 2025. The victim is a woman, and the boy, who has had drug problems since the age of 13, is alleged to have acted as part of a wider criminal organisation. At a preliminary hearing in Dublin Children's Court on 31 July 2026, Judge Paul Kelly refused jurisdiction, citing the alleged premeditation and preparation involved. The boy was remanded in continuing custody pending a book of evidence, with a further appearance scheduled for August.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court31 Jul
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • The boy is charged with setting fire to two homes and torching three cars during a drug intimidation campaign in Dublin.
  • A phone call was made to the Beeches Park home stating the occupant had to pay a €30,000 drug debt.
  • The Beeches Park fire caused €600,000 in damage and the house was unoccupied at the time.
  • The Ashlawn Park fire caused €60,000 in damage and the occupants sustained no injuries.
  • The car park fires at East Courtyard, Tullyvale, spread to a Honda Fit and an Austin Cooper Saloon, causing €11,450 of damage.
Where
The offences took place in the Glenageary area of Dublin, including Beeches Park, Ashlawn Park, Shanganagh Cliffs, and East Courtyard, Tullyvale.
When
The offences occurred over a 39-day period from 24 January to 2 March 2025.
Investigation
The teenager's phone was recovered and geolocation data showed he appeared to be at the scene of the crimes, and his DNA was recovered from broken window glass at the Shanganagh Cliffs scene.
Charges
The boy is charged with arson and other offences.
In court
  • The DPP recommended the boy be dealt with at the Circuit Court, and at a preliminary hearing in Dublin Children's Court on 31 July 2026, Judge Paul Kelly refused jurisdiction, noting the alleged premeditation and preparation involved.
  • The boy was remanded in continuing custody pending a book of evidence, with a further appearance scheduled for August.
Other details
  • The boy has had drug problems since the age of 13, and a wider criminal organisation was behind the drug sales and orchestrating the activity.
  • The boy collided with a truck and was taken to hospital after fleeing the Beeches Park scene.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe boy set fire to two homes and torched three cars during a drug intimidation campaign in Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA phone call was made to the Beeches Park home stating the occupant had to pay a €30,000 drug debt. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe fire at Beeches Park caused €600,000 worth of damage and the house was unoccupied at the time. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe teenager collided with a truck and was taken to hospital after fleeing the Beeches Park scene. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA window was heard breaking and an accelerant was poured into the Ashlawn Park house before it was set on fire. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe Ashlawn Park fire caused €60,000 in damage and the occupants sustained no injuries. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatSecurity cameras captured the teenager carrying a jerry can of petrol and setting a Volkswagen Golf alight. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatFootage showed the teenager burning the jerry can, briefly setting himself on fire, and filming the blaze. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe fire spread to a Honda Fit and an Austin Cooper Saloon, causing €11,450 of damage. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe accused has had drug problems since he was 13. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA wider criminal organisation was behind the drug sales and orchestrating the activity. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe teenager arrived at an underground car park at East Courtyard, Tullyvale, early on 24 January 2025 on an electric motorbike. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereFifty minutes after the car park fires, the boy arrived at a house at Shanganagh Cliffs armed with a hammer and damaged car windows. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe offences occurred over a 39-day period from 24 January to 2 March 2025. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenA family of five at Ashlawn Park was woken in the middle of the night on 17 February 2025. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenDublin Fire Brigade attended the Ashlawn Park scene at 5.20am. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe teenager's phone was recovered and geolocation data showed he appeared to be at the scene of the crimes. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe teenager's DNA was recovered from broken window glass at the Shanganagh Cliffs scene. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe DPP recommended the boy be dealt with at the Circuit Court, which has wider sentencing powers. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Paul Kelly refused jurisdiction, noting the alleged premeditation and preparation involved. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 31 Jul2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Boy (17) torched two homes and three cars in drug intimidation campaign, court told

    Preliminary hearing at Dublin Children's Court to determine trial venue. Judge Kelly refused jurisdiction, remanding the boy in continuing custody pending a book of evidence, with a further appearance in August.

    suspect, 17, malevictim, female