A young woman (24) wept in court yesterday as she told a judge that she feared she would be killed by her ex-boyfriend, who has been charged with arson at her home last weekend.
On Sunday night, gardaí used a ladder to rescue several occupants when a house – which is divided into apartments – on the South Circular Road in Dublin went up in flames.
Dublin Fire Brigade went to the scene and extinguished the blaze.
Sintia Teika (on left), who is from Latvia, was taken to St James’s Hospital for treatment for minor burn injuries.
Vladimirs Li (29), who is originally from Latvia but has an address at Leinster Road in Rathmines, Dublin, was brought before Dublin District Court charged with arson in connection with the incident and remanded in custody.
Mr Li has one child from a previous relationship and worked as a kitchen porter.
He did not address the court and sat facing downwards, crying as his ex-girlfriend gave evidence. It would also be claimed he arrived at the house on South Circular Road with a petrol canister in his hand, gained entry and started the fire while other witnesses were present.