An arsonist who attacked the same garage three times in a week has been given 10 months to pay compensation or face jail. Judge Dominic Lynch said he believed the compensation paid out by the defendant, David Stapleton, should be in the thousands.
Stapleton (21), of Patrician Villas, Stillorgan, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty to three counts of arson on cars at White and Delahunty Motors, Deansgrange on September 10th, 12th and 15th, 1997.
Judge Lynch said he believed the attacks were somewhat out of character for Stapleton, but £5,000 compensation would not be excessive.
After consulting the Stapleton family, Ms Marie Torrens, defending, said the money would be paid by the time the case was reconsidered on January 27th, 2000.
Questioned by Judge Lynch, she said that the money would be legally obtained by her client.