TWO MEN appeared in court yesterday in connection with an arson attack in Longford town which left a young schoolgirl in a serious but stable condition in hospital.
Martin Nevin (21), Farnagh, Longford, and Michael Stokes (21), Springlawn, Longford, were both charged with causing damage to property and committing arson at Padraic Colum Heights, Longford, on dates between September 30th and October 1st.
An application for bail made on behalf of Mr Nevin was rejected by Judge Conall Gibbons who remanded the Longford man in custody to appear again at Harristown District Court on Friday.
Det Sgt Padraic Jones gave evidence of the arrest and subsequent charging of Mr Nevin at Longford Garda station on Saturday. The accused made no reply to both charges. Det Sgt Jones said gardaí had received allegations of suspected witness interference since the incident last Thursday night and were concerned Mr Nevin may "commit further offences" if granted bail.
He said at least one petrol bomb was thrown into the house, which is situated in a busy Longford town estate, causing extensive damage to the property and inflicting serious injuries on an 11-year-old girl, who remains in a stable condition in Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, in Dublin. "The house has subsequently been destroyed and a young girl has been severely injured," Det Sgt Jones said.
Mr Nevin's co-accused, Michael Stokes, was remanded in custody with consent to bail despite objections from gardaí. In granting the request for bail from John Quinn, defending, Judge Gibbons attached a number of conditions, including a strict curfew and residency constraints.
In giving evidence of arresting and charging Mr Stokes, Garda Conor Egan said the accused replied: "I didn't do anything," to one of the charges and "I am getting blamed for something I didn't do", to the second charge.
Two other men, both in their 20s, remain in custody at Roscommon Garda station under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.