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. 6921Attempted murder · Co. Meath · 19 Sep 2019

Man admits attempting to murder mother by setting fire to Meath home

On 19 September 2019 at Coille Dios, Athboy, Co Meath, Camden Konopka, a 23-year-old man, set fire to the family home and locked his mother, Fiona Konopka, inside, according to the sentencing hearing. Konopka entered guilty pleas to attempting to murder her and to criminal damage with intent to endanger life at the Central Criminal Court on 18 December 2023. He was remanded in custody, and the case was put back to March 1 for a probation report, with no sentence imposed yet.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court18 Dec
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Camden Konopka, a 23-year-old man, entered guilty pleas to attempting to murder his mother, Fiona Konopka.
  • He also pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage with intent to endanger life.
Where
The incident happened at Coille Dios, Athboy, Co Meath, where the family home was.
When
The incident happened on 19 September 2019.
Cause
The prosecution said he deliberately set fire to the home and locked his mother in, and the sources say he threw away the keys.
Weapon
Gardaí found a cigarette lighter in a partially burnt armchair.
Investigation
  • Konopka told gardaí he locked the door on his way out to try to lock his mother in.
  • Konopka told gardaí he had consumed opium, then taken antidepressant tablets and drunk wine, as he was feeling suicidal.
Other details
  • The damage caused by the fire totalled €60,289.47.
  • Konopka has a history of mental illness and no previous convictions.
  • The victim did not make a victim impact statement.
In court
  • The sentencing hearing took place at the Central Criminal Court on 18 December 2023.
  • Konopka was remanded in custody, and the case was put back to March 1 for a probation report.
Sentence
No sentence has been imposed yet.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe man entered guilty pleas to attempting to murder his mother. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe man also pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage with the intention of endangering life. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe incident happened at Coille Dios, Athboy, Co Meath. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened on 19 September 2019. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeThe man tried to murder his mother by deliberately setting fire to their home and locking her in. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí found a cigarette lighter in a partially burnt armchair. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe man told gardaí he locked the door on his way out to try to lock his mother in. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe judge put the matter back to March 1 for a probation report and remanded the defendant in custody. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe damage caused by the fire totalled €60,289.47. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe defendant had no previous convictions. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe victim did not make a victim impact statement. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 18 Dec2023
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Man tried to murder his mother in Meath home by setting it on fire

    Sentencing hearing at the Central Criminal Court. Guilty pleas to attempted murder and criminal damage entered; defendant remanded in custody and case put back to March 1 for a probation report.

    convicted, Camden Konopka, 23, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Camden Konopkavictim, Fiona Konopka, female, non-irish (judged from name)Fiona Konopka