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. 2347Arson, criminal damage · Co. Dublin · 24 Sep 2020

David Fannin jailed for 16 months for arson in Ballymun

David Fannin, 29, of Coolock, Dublin, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment (32 months suspended) at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to arson and intentionally damaging the back door of a house in Ballymun on 24 September 2020, while a woman and her two young children were inside. He told gardaí he was instructed to carry out the arson by a man to whom he owed money, and his co-accused, the woman's ex-partner, has since fled the country.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced12 Feb
    2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
34 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatOne of the children was wounded by broken glass while trying to escape from a back window that Fannin had smashed before starting the fire. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatFannin told Gardaí he was instructed to carry out the arson by another man to whom he owed money. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe co-accused, who is the ex-partner of the woman, has fled the country. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe woman was at home with her four-and-a-half-year-old and 18-month-old children when the incident occurred. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatA man shattered a window at the back of the house and a second man began banging at the patio doors. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe woman ran from the kitchen in fear, locked herself into an upstairs bedroom and rang emergency services. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe porch to the front of the home and the woman's car in her driveway were alight. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe fire was too much for Gardaí patrol fire extinguishers. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe woman and children escaped through the back garden and were out on the road. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe four-year-old child was bleeding from the soles of her feet from broken glass. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatGarda Clyde stopped Fannin in a car and noticed a strong smell of accelerant and the nozzle of a jerry can. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatA CCTV camera was found under a seat in the car. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatFannin has two previous convictions for drugs offences. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • whatThere was extensive damage to the rear kitchen windows and patio doors, which were irreparable. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatFannin set fire to a house while a woman and her two young children were inside (irishtimes.com)
  • whatOne child was wounded by broken glass while trying to escape from a back window (irishtimes.com)
  • whatFannin smashed the back window before starting the fire (irishtimes.com)
  • whatFannin also pleaded guilty to intentionally damaging the back door of the house (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe woman was at home with her four-year-old and 18-month-old children (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA second man began banging at the patio doors (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe woman identified her ex-partner as the second man but did not know who the first man was (irishtimes.com)
  • whatLater that night the woman reported her porch and car were on fire (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe woman and her young children escaped through the back garden (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe arson took place at a house in Ballymun. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • whereFannin is from Edenmore Avenue, Coolock, Dublin (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe incident occurred on 24 September 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe arson and damage occurred on 24 September 2020 (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Martin Nolan noted the family could have been incinerated if things had gone wrong. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtFannin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to carrying out the arson and to intentionally damaging the back door. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Nolan imposed a four-year prison sentence, suspending the final 32 months on strict conditions. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed a four-year prison sentence, suspending the latter 32 months on strict conditions (irishtimes.com)
  • otherFannin told gardaí he was instructed to carry out the arson by a man to whom he owed money (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHis co-accused has fled the country (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe co-accused is the ex-partner of the woman (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 12 Feb2025
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Man jailed for 16 months for setting fire to house with woman and children inside

    Sentencing hearing details including Judge Martin Nolan's comments on coercion, the judge's refusal of a suspended sentence, and the circumstances of the fire as described by Garda Seán Clyde.

    convicted, David Fannin, 29, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Fanninvictim, femalevictim, 4victim, 18 monthssuspect, male
  2. 12 Feb2025
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Man jailed for setting fire to a house with woman and two young children inside

    Sentencing report detailing the judge's comments on the role of the co-accused, the circumstances of the fire, and the imposition of a four-year sentence with 32 months suspended.

    convicted, David Fannin, 29, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Fanninvictim, femalevictim, 4.5victim, 18 monthssuspect, male