Ramelton fire accused ‘was trying to keep warm’, court told

A homeless man who told Gardaí he set fire to rubbish in a derelict Ramelton building “to keep warm” has appeared in court.

Danny Habtay was charged with criminal damage as well as and low-value shop thefts in Ramelton and Letterkenny.

The 35-year-old, who is the subject of a deportation order, was brought to Letterkenny District Court from the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise where he was in custody.

Habtay, of no fixed abode, was charged that on November 25, 2025 at Bridge Street Ramelton he did commit arson in that he did without lawful excuse damage by fire property, to wit burning two wooden planks and several bits of rubbish causing the injured party to incur clean up costs, belonging to another intending to damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be damaged. The charge is contrary to section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991.

The accused was also charged with stealing groceries to the value of €10.05 from Whoriskey’s Eurospar, The Mall, Ramelton on November 25, 2025 and with stealing groceries valued at €5.99 from Tesco, Letterkenny Shopping Centre, on November 24, 2025. Both charges are contrary to section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.

Judge Emile Daly accepted jurisdiction in the matter.

Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that Gardai were alerted to a theft at Tesco at 12.36pm on the day in question. Habtay took crisps, a scone and biscuits, placing the items under his jacket and making off without payment.

The court heard that a fire was reported at the derelict Stewart Arms Hotel in Ramelton on November 25. Gardai obtained a description of a man seen leaving the building. On their way to the scene, Gardai spotted Habtay who was also found to have stolen various items from Whoriskey’s in Ramelton.

When interviewed by Gardai, Habtay made admissions and said that he started the fire to keep himself warm. The court was informed that €500 worth of damage was caused in the fire incident. 

Habtay has two previous convictions, for public order incidents in Waterford from July this year.

Mr Donough Cleary, solicitor for Habtay, said his client is an Eritrean national who has a history of mental health issues.

He said his client was not taking his medication at the time having been told to leave accommodation he was using. Mr Cleary said Habtay became “destitute and homeless” and these incidents represented “crimes of necessity”. 

“He was literally down and out and he had nothing,” Mr Cleary said.

The solicitor said Habtay has been in custody on these matters and told the court that a deportation order stands for his client.

Judge Daly applied a probation bond and said that if Habtay comes to the attention of Gardai within four months he could be brought back before the court to be resentenced.