Ireland Case No. 6253Arson (criminal damage by fire) · Co. Dublin · 31 Dec 2023
Man charged with arson at former Ringsend pub faces Circuit trial
A fire gutted the former Shipwright pub and guesthouse on Thorncastle Street, Ringsend, Dublin, before 2am on 31 December 2023, amid false rumours the building would house asylum seekers when it was actually being readied for homeless families. Three people were arrested on 8 February 2024 and released without charge. Steven McDonnell, a 49-year-old man and father of four from Cambridge Park, Ringsend, was arrested at his home on 21 March 2024 and charged under Section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act with causing more than €2m in fire damage. He appeared before Dublin District Court, denied the charge, and was released on bail with conditions. The DPP directed trial on indictment, and the case will be heard at the Circuit Court.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested8 Feb
6 reports - Charged1 Mar
3 reports - In court21 Mar
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- The former Shipwright pub and guesthouse was gutted by a fire before 2am (reported as around 2am) on 31 December 2023.
- Where
- The incident took place at the Shipwright pub and guesthouse on Thorncastle Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4.
- When
- The fire broke out before 2am on 31 December 2023, New Year's Eve.
- Cause
- A technical examination determined the blaze was criminal damage, and investigators examined a theory that the site was targeted because it was wrongly believed it would house asylum seekers.
- Investigation
- Three people (two men in their 30s and 50s and a woman in her 20s) were arrested on 8 February 2024 and released without charge, and four residential properties were searched under warrant with electronic devices seized.
- Charges
- Steven McDonnell, 49, was charged with causing damage to the former pub by fire under Section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act, with alleged damage exceeding €2m.
- In court
- He appeared before Judge Fiona Brennan at Dublin District Court on 21 March 2024, denied the charge, and was released on bail with a €250 bond, €2,500 lodgement or surety, and signing on three days a week.
- The DPP directed trial on indictment, and the case was adjourned to 27 March 2024 for a book of evidence to be served.
- Other details
- The building was being readied by the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive to house homeless families, but false rumours circulated that it would be used for international protection applicants.
- The fire required six fire engines and nearly 30 firefighters to bring under control, and nobody was injured.
100 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe former Shipwright pub was gutted by a fire in late December. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA suspected arson attack occurred on a former pub in Dublin. (extra.ie)
- whatThe fire required six fire engines and nearly 30 firefighters to bring it under control. (gript.ie)
- whatTwo men are being questioned over an arson attack on a former pub in Dublin. (rte.ie)
- whatThree people were arrested in connection with an arson incident in Ringsend. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatTwo men were questioned in connection with an arson attack on a former pub in Dublin. (rte.ie)
- whatThe article concerns an arson incident. (garda.ie)
- whatA man charged with arson appeared before Dublin District Court over a fire at a former pub. (rte.ie)
- whatSteven McDonnell, 49, was charged with causing damage to the former pub by fire under section two of the Criminal Damage Act. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe accused is alleged to have caused more than €2m worth of fire damage. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe alleged fire damage was more than €2m. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe pub is in Ringsend, Dublin, on Thorncastle Street. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe Shipwright is a pub and guesthouse in Ringsend. (gript.ie)
- whereThe damage was caused to the Shipwright pub and guesthouse on Thorncastle Street, Ringsend. (rte.ie)
- whereThe fire was at the former Shipwright pub on Thorncastle Street, Ringsend. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe incident took place on Thorncastle Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4. (garda.ie)
- whereThe fire was at the Shipwright pub on Thorncastle Street in the south inner city. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe fire was at the disused Shipwright pub and guesthouse on Thorncastle Street in Ringsend. (rte.ie)
- whereThe fire was at the old Shipwright Pub on Thorncastle Street in Ringsend. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe former Shipwright pub was on Thorncastle Street in Ringsend. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe fire broke out at the Shipwright before 2am on the last New Year's Eve. (gript.ie)
- whenThe arson attack took place on New Year's Eve. (rte.ie)
- whenThe searches and arrests took place on Thursday 8 February 2024. (rte.ie)
- whenThe fire broke out at around 2am on 31 December. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe incident took place on 31 December 2023. (garda.ie)
- whenThe fire broke out in the early hours of New Year’s Eve. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe fire occurred on New Year's Eve. (rte.ie)
- causeA technical examination determined the blaze was an act of criminal damage. (irishtimes.com)
- causeInvestigators are examining a theory that the site was targeted because it was wrongly believed it would be renovated to house asylum seekers. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeGardaí confirmed at the time that the fire was the work of arsonists. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe fire could have spread to other buildings where people were living. (rte.ie)
- investigationThree people have been arrested in the investigation. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationFour residential properties were searched under warrant on Thursday morning. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationItems of evidential value, including electronic devices, were seized. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí are still keen to speak to anyone with information about the incident. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThree people were arrested in a probe into the attack. (extra.ie)
- investigationTwo men in their 30s and 50s and a woman in her 20s were arrested on suspicion of arson in relation to the Shipwright. (gript.ie)
- investigationThe three arrested are detained under section four of the Criminal Justice Act and can be questioned for up to 24 hours. (gript.ie)
- investigationThe men were arrested on suspicion of arson under the Criminal Damage Act. (rte.ie)
- investigationSearches were carried out at four homes in Dublin. (rte.ie)
- investigationA woman in her 20s was also arrested and has since been released without charge. (rte.ie)
- investigationElectronic devices and other items were seized during the garda operation. (rte.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing to the public for information about the investigation. (rte.ie)
- investigationFour residential properties were searched under warrant during an operation in the Dublin area. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationTwo men, aged in their 30s and 50s, and a woman in her 20s were arrested. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí continue to appeal for information about the investigation. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí say files are being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. (rte.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing to anyone with information to contact Irishtown Garda Station. (rte.ie)
- investigationInvestigations are ongoing. (garda.ie)
- investigationThree people, two men and a woman, were arrested for questioning last month and released without charge. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationSearches were carried out and items including mobile phones were seized for examination. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí at Irishtown Garda station examined social media posts and urged people with information to come forward. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationHe was arrested at his home and later charged at Irishtown Garda Station. (rte.ie)
- investigationGardaí and six units of Dublin Fire Brigade attended and brought the blaze under control. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- investigationDetective Sergeant Jonathan Kelly arrested the accused at his home at 7.18 am on Thursday. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí arrested the man at his home at 7.18am on a Thursday. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe two men have been released without charge. (rte.ie)
- chargeA man in his 40s arrested as part of the investigation has been charged. (garda.ie)
- chargeGardaí confirmed another arrest had been made and a man charged. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe criminal charge is the first in the case. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe was charged with arson under Section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act and with criminal damage by fire. (rte.ie)
- chargeSteven McDonnell was charged with causing damage to the former pub by fire, contrary to section two of the Criminal Damage Act. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe accused is expected to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice, Court No. 4, on Thursday 21 March 2024 at about 10.30am. (garda.ie)
- courtThe man was due to appear before the courts in the city on Thursday morning. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe prosecution objected to bail due to the seriousness of the charge. (rte.ie)
- courtHe was released on bail with conditions, including a bond, cash or surety, signing on, a no-loitering zone and no contact with the pub owner. (rte.ie)
- courtThe case was adjourned to 27 March, when a book of evidence is expected to be served. (rte.ie)
- courtHe appeared before Judge Fiona Brennan at Dublin District Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe DPP directed trial on indictment, so the case will be dealt with at the Circuit Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtHe was held in custody until he takes up €2,750 bail with strict terms. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe judge set a €250 bond and required a €2,500 lodgement or approved surety. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtBail conditions require him to sign on three days a week at his local garda station. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe judge refused the defence request to remove the €2,500 lodgement or surety requirement. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtHe was remanded in custody with consent to bail to appear again on March 27, pending a book of evidence. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe Director of Public Prosecutions has directed trial on indictment, so the case will be heard at the Circuit Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Brennan set bond at €250 and required a €2,500 lodgement or approved surety. (irishtimes.com)
- courtBail conditions include signing on three days a week and staying away from Thorncastle Street and Fitzwilliam Street. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe defence asked the court to remove the €2,500 lodgement or surety requirement, but the judge refused. (irishtimes.com)
- courtHe was initially remanded in custody with consent to bail, to appear again on March 27. (irishtimes.com)
- courtHe was released on bail that Thursday evening, subject to the judge's conditions. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe building was falsely rumoured to be earmarked for asylum seeker accommodation. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe building was actually being readied to house homeless families. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe woman was later released without charge on Thursday afternoon. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe premises was being renovated to provide emergency accommodation and was the focus of protests by locals who believed it would become an asylum centre. (gript.ie)
- otherThe site had been the scene of protests by people opposed to asylum seekers being housed there in the days before the fire. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherAll three are detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 for alleged offences under the Criminal Damage Act at a Garda station in the Dublin Region. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe building was being renovated to provide emergency accommodation for homeless families. (rte.ie)
- otherNobody was injured in the fire, but the building was very extensively damaged. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe premises was being readied for use as a hub for homeless families. (irishtimes.com)
- otherFalse rumours circulated claiming the premises was to be used for international protection applicants. (irishtimes.com)
- otherGardaí said the man was expected to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice that morning and that investigations are ongoing. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHis solicitor said he had no previous convictions. (rte.ie)
- otherHe denied the offence and said he would assert his innocence. (rte.ie)
- otherHe is a father of four from Cambridge Park in Ringsend. (rte.ie)
- otherThe fire went on amid rumours the pub would be repurposed to house immigrants. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe Dublin Regional Homeless Executive had prepared to use the property for homeless families. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe accused denies the allegation. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe pub was earmarked for homeless accommodation and rumours circulated that it would house migrants. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused denied the allegation through his solicitor. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe Dublin Regional Homeless Executive was prepared to use the property for homeless families at the time of the fire. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 21 Mar2024Crane driver (49) accused of causing €2m in fire damage due to Ringsend arson attack
First report of this case. Adds the charge, the alleged damage of more than €2m, the trial on indictment at the Circuit Court, the bail terms and the court appearance at Dublin District Court.
accused, Steven McDonnell, 49, male, named, irish (judged from name)Steven McDonnell - 21 Mar2024Man charged with arson of pub earmarked for homeless accused of €2m damage
Court appearance and bail hearing for the accused, who denies the charge. Adds details of the damage value, arrest, bail terms and the case moving to the Circuit Court.
accused, Steven McDonnell, 49, male, named, irish (judged from name)Steven McDonnell - 21 Mar2024Arson charge over New Year's Eve fire at Shipwright pub
Confirms the charge and court appearance of Steven McDonnell on 21 March 2024, adds the charges, arrest details, bail conditions, his denial, and the next court date of 27 March.
accused, Steven McDonnell, 49, male, named, irish (judged from name)Steven McDonnell - 21 Mar2024Man charged after arson attack at falsely rumoured refugee centre in Ringsend, Dublin
Reports a man in his 40s charged in the Shipwright pub arson, the first charge in the case, after earlier arrests and releases. Notes that the premises was being readied as a hub for homeless families and that false rumours about international protection applicants circulated.
accused, 40s, male - 1 Mar2024Update (4): Court Appearance - Arson Incident, Thorncastle Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4, 31st December 2023
Update (4) confirms that the man in his 40s arrested in the investigation has been charged and is expected at the CCJ, Court No. 4, on 21 March 2024 at about 10.30am.
accused, 40s, male - 9 Feb2024Two men held over arson attack released without charge
Two men held in connection with the arson have been released without charge, and files are being prepared for the DPP.
suspect, malesuspect, male - 8 Feb2024Three people arrested following arson attack on Dublin pub
Adds that three people (two men and a woman) were arrested and detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, that four properties were searched, and that investigators are examining a theory that the site was targeted over a false belief it would house asylum seekers.
suspect, 30s, malesuspect, 50s, malesuspect, 20s, female - 8 Feb2024Two men being questioned over arson attack on Dublin pub
First report of the arrests and searches in this arson case. Two men aged in their 30s and 50s were arrested, and a woman in her 20s was arrested and released without charge. Gardaí are appealing for information.
suspect, 30s, malesuspect, 50s, malesuspect, 20s, female - 8 Feb20243 arrested in connection with Ringsend arson attack - Gript
Reports the arrest of three people on suspicion of arson in connection with the Shipwright fire, and that they are detained under section four of the Criminal Justice Act.
suspect, 30s, malesuspect, 50s, malesuspect, 20s, female - 8 Feb2024Three Arrested In Probe Into Suspected Arson Attack On Former Dublin Pub
Only the headline is available. It reports three arrests in a probe into a suspected arson attack on a former Dublin pub, which appears to match case 18362 (two men and a woman arrested over the New Year's Eve arson at the Shipwright pub in Ringsend). The headline says 'former pub', which the existing case does not mention.
suspectsuspectsuspect - 8 Feb2024Three people arrested over December arson attack at former Ringsend pub
Reports three arrests (two men, in their 30s and 50s, and a woman in her 20s) and searches of four residential properties under warrant, and says the woman was later released without charge. Gardaí say the blaze was criminal damage and appeal for information.
suspect, 30s, malesuspect, 50s, malesuspect, 20s, female