Ireland Teenager charged over alleged arson spree in south Dublin
Between 24 January and 2 March 2026, a 17-year-old man is alleged to have set fires at homes and cars in south Dublin, including in Glenageary, Ashlawn Park, Beeches Park, Shanganagh Cliffs and an underground car park at Tullyvale, as part of an alleged drug intimidation campaign. The sources do not give the victims' age, sex or nationality, or the suspect's nationality. The teenager was charged with arson and other offences. At a Dublin Children's Court preliminary hearing in July 2026, the judge refused jurisdiction because the case was too serious for that court, and the teenager was remanded in continuing custody pending a book of evidence, with his next appearance in August.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court1 Jul
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- The teenager is charged with arson and other offences.
- Where
- Two houses in Glenageary were gutted by arson, making both no longer habitable.
- The alleged fires hit houses at Ashlawn Park, Beeches Park and Shanganagh Cliffs and an underground car park at East Courtyard, Tullyvale.
- When
- The alleged arson spree ran over 39 days, from 24 January to 2 March 2026.
- On 17 February an accelerant was allegedly poured into a house at Ashlawn Park before it was set alight.
- On 2 March at Beeches Park, a phone call allegedly demanded a €30,000 drug debt before the house was set on fire.
- Cause
- The fires were allegedly part of a drug intimidation campaign.
- Weapon
- Security cameras allegedly captured the teenager carrying a jerry can of petrol, and he allegedly arrived at a Shanganagh Cliffs house armed with a hammer and damaged car windows.
- Investigation
- The teenager's phone was recovered, geolocation data placed him at the scenes, and DNA from him was recovered from broken window glass at Shanganagh Cliffs.
- Other details
- Damage was €600,000 at Beeches Park, where nobody was inside, €60,000 at Ashlawn Park, where no one was injured, and €11,450 to a Honda Fit and an Austin Cooper Saloon in the Tullyvale car park.
- Defence counsel argued that a wider criminal organisation was behind the drug sales, and the garda accepted this point.
- The teenager still enjoys the presumption of innocence.
- In court
- The judge refused jurisdiction, holding the case was too serious for the Children's Court.
- The teenager was remanded in continuing custody pending a book of evidence and will appear again in August.
19 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe teenager is charged with arson and other offences. (thejournal.ie)
- whereTwo houses in Glenageary were gutted by arson. (thejournal.ie)
- whereAt Ashlawn Park, an accelerant was poured into a house before it was set alight on 17 February. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe alleged arson spree happened over 39 days from 24 January to 2 March. (thejournal.ie)
- whenOn 2 March at Beeches Park, a phone call allegedly told the occupant to pay a €30,000 drug debt before the house was set on fire. (thejournal.ie)
- whenOn 24 January, the teenager allegedly arrived at an underground car park at East Courtyard, Tullyvale, on an electric motorbike. (thejournal.ie)
- causeThe fires were allegedly part of a drug intimidation campaign. (thejournal.ie)
- weaponSecurity cameras allegedly captured the teenager carrying a jerry can of petrol. (thejournal.ie)
- weaponThe teenager allegedly arrived at a house at Shanganagh Cliffs armed with a hammer and damaged car windows. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationThe teenager's phone was recovered and geolocation data placed him at the scenes. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationDNA from the teenager was recovered from broken window glass at the Shanganagh Cliffs house. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge refused jurisdiction, holding the case was too serious for the Children's Court. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe teenager was remanded in continuing custody pending a book of evidence and will appear again in August. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe Beeches Park fire caused €600,000 worth of damage, and nobody was in the house. (thejournal.ie)
- otherFire at the Ashlawn Park house caused €60,000 in damage and no occupants were injured. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe car park fires spread to a Honda Fit and an Austin Cooper Saloon, causing €11,450 worth of damage. (thejournal.ie)
- otherDefence counsel argued that a wider criminal organisation was behind the drug sales, and the garda accepted this point. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe teenager has had a long-standing drug addiction since age 13, according to the defence and the garda. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe teenager still enjoys the presumption of innocence. (thejournal.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 1 Jul2026Court hears teenager torched two homes and three cars during drug intimidation campaign
Reports a Dublin Children's Court preliminary hearing. The teen is charged with arson and other offences over alleged fires at homes and cars in Glenageary, Tullyvale, Ashlawn Park and Shanganagh Cliffs, plus a drug-debt intimidation motive. The judge refused jurisdiction, so the case is too serious for the Children's Court, and the teen is remanded in custody pending a book of evidence.
accused, 17, malevictim