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. 0997Arson · Co. Dublin · 21 May 2024

Teen accused of petrol bomb attack on Ballyfermot home that killed pet husky

On 21 May 2024, a petrol bomb was allegedly thrown through a front window into the sitting room of a house on Landen Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin, killing the family's 11-year-old husky named Zach while Pat Curran, 68, was asleep inside. A 15-year-old boy is charged with arson of the uninsured house, which cost €227,000 to repair, and a 14-year-old boy allegedly drove him to the scene. A 23-year-old man and another teenage boy face connected charges and are being dealt with separately. The boy was denied bail in July 2024, and at a preliminary hearing on 17 September 2025, Judge Paul Kelly held the case must be tried in the Circuit Court, remanding him in continuing custody.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court17 Sep
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A petrol bomb was allegedly thrown through a front window into the sitting room of a house on Landen Road, Ballyfermot, killing the family's 11-year-old husky named Zach.
  • Pat Curran, 68, was asleep in the sitting room when the fire started.
  • The house was uninsured and cost €227,000 to repair.
  • The accused allegedly lit a jerrycan on fire, threw a stone through a front window, then threw the burning jerrycan into the sitting room.
  • A 14-year-old boy allegedly drove the accused to the scene.
Investigation
CCTV from a doorbell camera showed a youth throwing an object through the window followed by the burning jerrycan.
Charges
A 15-year-old boy is charged with arson of a house on Landen Road, Ballyfermot.
In court
  • Judge Paul Kelly held the case must be tried in the Circuit Court due to its seriousness.
  • The boy was remanded in continuing custody to appear again later that month.
  • The boy had been denied bail in July 2024.
Other details
  • A 23-year-old man and another teenage boy face connected charges and are being dealt with separately.
  • The boy was diagnosed with ADHD at age eight and left school without completing the Leaving Certificate.
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe family's 11-year-old husky named Zach was killed in the fire (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe house cost €227,000 to repair (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe house was uninsured (irishtimes.com)
  • whatPat Curran, 68, was asleep in the sitting room when the fire started (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe accused allegedly lit a jerrycan on fire, threw a stone through a front window, then threw the petrol can into the sitting room (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA 14-year-old boy allegedly drove the accused to the scene (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe family had to live temporarily with another relative (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationCCTV from a doorbell camera showed a youth throwing an object through the window followed by the burning jerrycan (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeA 15-year-old boy is charged with arson of a house on Landen Road, Ballyfermot (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Paul Kelly held the case must be tried in the Circuit Court due to its seriousness (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe DPP recommended the teen be tried in the Circuit Court (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe boy was remanded in continuing custody to appear again later that month (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe boy had been denied bail in July (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe boy was diagnosed with ADHD at age eight (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe boy left school with little educational attainment and did not complete the Leaving Certificate (irishtimes.com)
  • otherA 23-year-old man and another teenage boy face connected charges and are being dealt with separately (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 17 Sep2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Teen accused of petrol bomb attack on Dublin home which caused death of pet husky

    Preliminary hearing at Dublin Children's Court to determine trial venue. Judge Paul Kelly (District Court president) held the case must be tried in the Circuit Court. Defence argued for Children's Court jurisdiction citing the boy's ADHD diagnosis, limited education, and family bereavement. The boy was remanded in continuing custody.

    suspect, 15, malesuspect, 14, malevictim, Pat Curran, 68, male, irish (judged from name)Pat Curranvictim, femalevictim, 20, male