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. 1171Arson · Co. Cork · 24 Apr 2025

Man remanded in custody over arson causing €550,000 damage to elderly couple's home in Ballincrokig, Co Cork

Paul McCarthy, 37, of Cabra, Dublin, was remanded in custody at Cork District Court on a charge of arson at Fernbrook, Ballincrokig, Co Cork, on 24 April 2025, in which he is alleged to have filmed two accomplices throwing petrol bombs through a bedroom window, causing €550,000 in fire damage to an elderly couple's home.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court6 Aug
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatPaul McCarthy, 37, appeared before Cork District Court on a charge of arson at Fernbrook in Ballincrokig, Co Cork, on April 24th. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHe was allegedly one of three men who drove from Dublin to Cork to set fire to the house. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe arson was video recorded by one of the men. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThree people arrived in a car at the Ballincrokig house on April 24th. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe third person, believed to be Paul McCarthy, stood close to the vehicle and allegedly filmed the incident on his mobile phone. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA husband aged 87 and wife aged 86 were watching television in the house when it was engulfed in flames, but the couple were unharmed. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereMcCarthy is from Dowth Avenue, Cabra, Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationMcCarthy has been remanded in custody since May 7th in connection with the incident. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationForensic results were awaited following the search of two properties. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge King remanded McCarthy in custody until August 20th to await directions from the DPP. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe pensioners were not the target of the attack. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherGardaí are not of the belief that the elderly occupants were the intended victims. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 6 Aug2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Man denies involvement in arson attack causing €550,000 damage to elderly couple’s home

    McCarthy remanded in custody until 20 August 2025 to await DPP directions; forensic results awaited following search of two properties; defence says searches were carried out 'early on' and asks for issues to be expedited; Gardaí say the pensioners were not the intended targets.

    accused, Paul McCarthy, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul McCarthyvictim, 87, malevictim, 86, female