A “RED mist descended” on a man who burnt down the house of his next-door neighbour after learning that she had kissed the homeowner at a party on New Year’s eve. 39-year-old James Long, with an address at O’Malley park, Southill, was before Judge Carroll Moran at Limerick Circuit Court after he pleaded guilty to the arson of his neighbour’s house for kissing his wife. The court heard that John Keane bought a house at 403 O’Malley Park, next-door to the accused, for €8,000 and has not been back there since the arson attack in the early hours of January 1, 2011.
Mr Keane was out socialising in a local unlicensed sheebín in the area and was alerted in the early hours that his house was on fire.
Upon returning to find the house ablaze, the accused, James Long emerged from the garden and the two men, who were highly intoxicated, began fighting until gardai intervened.
Det Garda Pat Whelan from Roxboro Garda Station told the court that he arrested the accused and in interview Mr Long admitted his involvement in the matter. He said that Long said he “didn’t mean to cause as much damage’ after he entered the house and set the curtains alight.
Michael Collins,’ Defence Counsel, said that a “red mist descended” on his client and that he became a different man” upon his daughter telling him that his wife was “wrapped around another fella” and they shared a New Year’s Eve kiss.
Mr Collins said that the accused was a former employee of Dell but unfortunately lost his job and subsequently had turned to drink and drugs,
“Thankfully” Mr Collins added, “he has kicked that habit”.
“James Long arrived home and he lost it” said Mr Collins after the Court heard that the accused entered the home of Mr Keane, went into the sitting room and set the curtains alight after discovering that Mr Keane was not in the house.
“It was a crime of passion” Long told the gardai and they accepted that it was out of character for the Southill man to do this as he was under the influence of alcohol.
Judge Carroll Moran adjourned the sentencing until June 14 next for further consideration.
