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. 6643Criminal damage · Co. Dublin · 9 Oct 2022

Teenager pleads guilty over Weaver Park playground fire

On 9 October 2022, a boy who was 12 at the time started and fanned a fire at Weaver Park playground, off Cork Street in Dublin's south inner city, causing €32,000 in damage and no reported injuries. He and another male had taken scrap and materials from a building site and brought them to the playground. He was charged with criminal damage to the playground structure and made no reply when charged. On 14 March 2025 at the Dublin Children's Court he pleaded guilty, and Judge Brendan Toale referred him to the Probation Service for a pre-sentence report, with the case returning in April and his alleged accomplice still awaiting a hearing.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted14 Mar
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A boy who was 12 at the time started and fanned a fire at Weaver Park playground, causing significant damage.
  • No injuries were reported, but the playground was wrecked.
  • The boy and another male took scrap and materials from a building site and brought them to the playground.
  • Part of the playground structure had to be removed, at a cost of €32,000.
Cause
The boy set the fire and fanned it, using the materials brought from the building site.
Where
The fire broke out at Weaver Park, off Cork Street, in the south inner city of Dublin.
When
The fire happened on the afternoon of 9 October 2022.
Charges
The boy was charged with criminal damage to the playground structure and made no reply when charged, according to Garda Christine Kelly.
In court
  • On 14 March 2025 at the Dublin Children's Court, the boy pleaded guilty before Judge Brendan Toale.
  • Defence counsel asked the judge to note his young age, educational reports and his letter of apology.
  • Judge Toale referred the boy to the Probation Service for a pre-sentence probation report, and the case returns in April.
  • His bail conditions include staying away from the incident area, remaining contactable, having no contact with a particular male, and not possessing a lighter or matches. Legal aid was granted.
Sentence
No sentence has been imposed yet, pending the pre-sentence probation report.
Other details
  • The boy has no prior convictions and has not been in trouble since the alleged incident.
  • The boy cannot be identified because he is a minor. His alleged accomplice is still awaiting a hearing.
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatNo injuries were reported but the playground was wrecked. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe boy and another male got scrap and materials from a building site. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThey brought the materials to the playground where the boy set and fanned a fire causing significant damage. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatPart of the playground structure had to be removed at a cost of €32,000. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe blaze broke out at Weaver Park, off Cork Street, in the south inner city. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe fire occurred on 9 October 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeHe was accused of criminal damage to the playground structure. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtDefence counsel asked the judge to note his young age, educational reports and his letter of apology. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Toale referred him to the Probation Service for a pre-sentence probation report. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case returns in April. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtHis bail conditions include staying away from the incident area, remaining contactable, having no contact with a particular male, and refraining from possessing a lighter or matches. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtLegal aid was granted. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe teenager has no prior convictions. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHe cannot be identified as he is a minor. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherGarda Christine Kelly said the boy made no reply when charged. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe teenager has not been in trouble since the alleged incident. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHis alleged accomplice is still before the court awaiting his hearing. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 14 Mar2025
    Convictedirishtimes.com, first report
    Boy (12) started fire and ‘fanned’ flames, causing €32,000 playground damage, court hears

    Boy pleaded guilty; referred to Probation Service for pre-sentence report; case returns in April; alleged accomplice still awaiting his hearing; bail conditions include no contact with a particular male and no possession of a lighter or matches.

    convicted, 15, maleaccused, male