Friday 30 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. 13045Criminal damage (petrol bomb attack) · Co. Clare · 18 Nov 2023

Ennis brothers jailed for petrol bomb attack on family home

Peter Molloy (23) and Martin Molloy (25) of Ballaghboy halting site, Ennis, were each sentenced to 20 months in prison at Ennis Circuit Court for a petrol bomb attack on the Quinn family home on Watery Road, Ennis, on 18 November 2023, which arose from a family dispute over an engagement ring. A 22-month-old niece was present in the house at the time but no one was injured.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced30 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatTwo Ennis brothers carried out a petrol bomb attack on a home where their 22-month-old niece was present. (clareecho.ie)
  • whatNo one was injured in the petrol bomb attack. (clareecho.ie)
  • whatThe fire was quickly put out and the damage totalled €3,000. (clareecho.ie)
  • whenThe attack took place at 8.30pm on the night. (clareecho.ie)
  • causeThe attack arose from a family row sparked by an engagement ring. (clareecho.ie)
  • causeThe Quinn and Molloy families were in dispute over an engagement ring. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtJudge Francis Comerford at Ennis Circuit Court jailed Peter Molloy (23) and Martin Molloy (25) for 20 months. (clareecho.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Comerford imposed a 45-month prison sentence on both and suspended the final 25 months in each case. (clareecho.ie)
  • otherA brother of the two Molloys, Jim, had died and had been in a relationship with a member of the Quinn family. (clareecho.ie)
  • otherThe engagement ring had significant sentimental value for both families. (clareecho.ie)
  • otherMartin Molloy has never served a custodial sentence before. (clareecho.ie)
  • otherThe Molloys have three children and are expecting another baby the following month. (clareecho.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 30 Jul2025
    Sentencedclareecho.ie, first report
    Ennis brothers carried out petrol bomb attack on home where their 22 month old niece was present - Clare Echo

    Sentencing report from Ennis Circuit Court. Judge Comerford imposed a 45-month sentence with 25 months suspended on each brother. The article provides background on the family dispute, the death of Peter Molloy's infant son in May 2024, and the death of their brother Jim, and notes the families have since reconciled.

    convicted, Peter Molloy, 23, male, named, irish (judged from name)Peter Molloyconvicted, Martin Molloy, 25, male, named, irish (judged from name)Martin Molloyvictim, Margaret Quinn, irish (judged from name)Margaret Quinnvictim, 22 months, female