Ireland Case No. 4297Criminal damage (arson attempt, damage to property) · Co. Dublin
Colm Dowling jailed for two years after using vegetable oil to set fire to garda's car and damaging commercial gates
Colm Dowling, 68, of Dublin 16, was sentenced to two years with the final nine months suspended at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for two counts of criminal damage: attempting to set a garda's car on fire with vegetable oil and causing over €7,000 damage to gates at a commercial premises in Rathfarnham.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced17 Dec
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports20 statements extracted from the articles
- whatDowling attempted to set a garda's personal car on fire using vegetable oil. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatDowling caused over €7,000 worth of damage to gates at a commercial premises. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe garda found vegetable oil on the windscreen and charred tissue under the windscreen wiper, which was damaged. (irishmirror.ie)
- what€76 worth of damage was caused to the car's front wipers. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatDowling repeatedly drove a white Ford van into the gate in an attempt to open it, breaking the front registration and side wing mirror. (irishmirror.ie)
- what€7,200 worth of damage was caused to the gates and a pillar. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe second incident involved a business premises in the Rathfarnham area. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe offences occurred 10 months after his release from custody and during the suspended part of his sentence. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenCCTV showed Dowling walking towards the garda's house at 5.45am carrying a bottle and returning at 5.48am without the bottle. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeDowling pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal damage on 11 January 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceJudge Jonathan Dunphy imposed a sentence of two years with the final nine months suspended on strict conditions. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceDowling was directed to place himself under the supervision of the Probation Services for two years post-release and to complete any referrals including for a residential treatment programme. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe judge placed Dowling under a peace bond for two years in respect of the criminal damage of the garda's car. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceDowling was directed to pay €76 within 28 days of release to cover the cost of the damaged windscreen wiper. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherDowling has eight previous convictions including four for arson and two for harassment. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherDowling received a three-year sentence with the final 20 months suspended in 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherA lighter and a bottle of vegetable oil were found nearby the car. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe owner of the property where the business premises is located was the injured party in some of Dowling's previous offending. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherDowling has a diagnosis of major depressive disorder and a history of depression and anxiety. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherDowling's brother was killed in 2018 in tragic circumstances. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 17 Dec2025Man jailed after using vegetable oil to try and set fire to garda's personal car
Sentencing report: Dowling pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal damage; received two years with nine months suspended, a two-year peace bond, and a direction to pay €76 for the damaged windscreen wiper. The court also noted the potential re-activation of his 2022 part-suspended sentence.
convicted, Colm Dowling, 68, male, named, irish (judged from name)Colm Dowlingvictim, female