Bench warrant issued for a man who set a house on fire in Killybegs

A bench warrant has been issued for a man after he failed to turn up for sentencing after admitting to setting a house on fire in Killybegs.

Glenn Friel, 21, was due before Donegal Circuit Court sitting at Letterkenny Courthouse on Wednesday. However, when Friel did not show, Judge John Aylmer issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

Friel pleaded guilty to a single charge of arson at a previous sitting of Donegal Circuit Court in October. The charge relates to a fire at a dwelling house at Straleeney, Killybegs on April 22, 2020 belonging to Conal Doherty.

Barrister Colm Smith had told the court previously that his client had psychiatric issues and was under the care of the mental health services. He also said Friel had been addicted to cannabis since the age of 16 but was abstaining from the drug now.

Mr Smith had asked for an updated psychiatric report and urine analysis report for the next sitting. Judge John Aylmer adjourned the case for sentencing to Wednesday but issued the bench warrant when the accused did not appear.