A man who was thrown out of a nightclub after a fight broke out came back later with a friend and set fire to the front door, Dundalk Circuit Criminal Court heard yesterday. Both culprits were caught on a security camera.
John Devereaux (21), Ryan's Park, Duleek, Co Meath, pleaded guilty to damaging the front door and interior of Goodfellow's nightclub, Drogheda, last February. His co-accused will be before the court at a later date.
Sgt Brendan Cadden said Devereaux had gone to the disco on St Valentine's night and had with others been ejected for fighting. He had subsequently gone to Drogheda Garda station and made a complaint about the club. The two culprits then got containers and put petrol into them. The defendant was also caught on a security camera getting and paying for the petrol.
They returned to the club and at 4 a.m., after they saw the last patrons and security staff leave, the defendant threw petrol on the door, causing £3,694 in damage.
Sgt Cadden said the flames had been extinguished by staff cleaning up the club.
Judge Patrick Smith said everyone deserved one chance and adjourned sentence for 12 months. He said Devereaux must remain off drink and away from discos and pubs in that time. Compensation, part of which was in court, is to be raised and given to the then owners of the club.