A man who filled a plastic bag with flammable liquid, set it alight, and then threw it at the gate of the hostel after he had been refused entry was sentenced to three months in jail when he appeared at Galway District Court last Monday.
Michael Coogan pleaded guilty to arson at Fairgreen Hostel on April 10, 2008. Charges for being intoxicated in a public place, and for threatening and abusive behaviour were withdrawn.
The 29-year-old with an address given as Keeleys Cottage, Loughrea Road, Gort, had been staying at one of Cuan Mhuire’s residential treatment facilities since November last in order to deal with his alcohol difficulties.
Inspector Ernie White told the court that at 4.30am at Fairgreen Hostel the defendant had been refused entry because of his intoxicated state. He then filled a plastic bag with flammable liquid, set it alight, and threw it at the gate of the hostel. The night worker saw the flames just in time and managed to put it out.
On October 31, 2008, at 12.50pm in Woodquay gardai came across the defendant who was unsteady on his feet. He kept going out on the road and was almost knocked down by a bus.
Defence solicitor Adrian MacLynn said that his client has had a lot of difficulties up to three or four months ago. He said that Coogan is the youngest of three children and that his mother died when he was just 12 years old. Mr MacLynn said that Coogan voluntarily entered a residential treatment course in Cuan Mhuire. The court later heard that the defendant had finished the course but decided to continue residing at the facility.
Inspector White then informed the court that Coogan has 10 previous convictions which include jail sentences for burglary, fines for theft and a number of public order offences.
An apologetic Coogan told Judge Fahy that he was willing to take full responsibility for his actions. He was then convicted and sentenced to a total of three months in prison and fined €400 payable forthwith.
