Derry man charged with arson in which three dogs died to apply for bail

A man charged with three counts of criminal damage to three dogs that died in a fire and a charge of arson with intent to endanger life will be applying for bail after he secured an address outside the city Derry Magistrate's Court was told today.

Conor Lishman (36) of Eastway Gardens in Derry is charged with the three charges of criminal damage to the dogs which died in a fire on June 16.

He was also charged with arson of a house at Meadowview Crescent in Derry on the same date. 

Lishman is further charged assault on three police officers and entering a house in Osborne Street as a trespasser again on the same date. 

When the case was mentioned today a defence solicitor told the court that the defendant would be applying for bail having secured an address outside the city. 

District Judge Barney McElholm said that it would need to be an address well outside the city but added he would allow the application to be heard. 

A prosecution solicitor said that there were more objections to bail than simply the address such as the defendant's record. 

Judge McElholm fixed a date for the contested bail application for August 19.

Lishman is currently in custody. 

A group of animal rights protesters gathered in Bishop Street opposite the courthouse in relation to the deaths of the dogs.