Infatuated man sentenced to seven and half years for arson attack in Tullamore

A man was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison with the final two and half years suspended for three charges of arson at today's (Thursday, December 21) sitting of Tullamore Circuit Court.

On May 5, 2022, Faris Doherty with an address at Puttaghaun, Tullamore, set fire to a car on Charleville Parade, Tullamore. Mr Doherty had smashed the windows of the vehicle and poured petrol into the car and over it before setting it on fire. The flames destroyed the car and caused damage to two houses on Charleville Parade.

The incident arose after Mr Doherty had invited Shauna Keenan of Charleville Parade, out for a coffee. Ms Keenan had refused. Mr Doherty asked her out a number of times after that but she continued to refuse.

At 2am on May 5, 2022, Ms Keenan had awoken to a bang outside her house, when she looked out she saw a man who she recognised as Faris Doherty at her car. Mr Doherty was a neighbour of Ms Keenan at the time. He was dressed in black and wearing a balaclava. She shouted at him to get away from her car but he laughed at her and continued to pour the petrol into and over the car. CCTV showed Mr Doherty setting the car alight.

Detective Sgt Adrian Hanley had previously given evidence that when Gardai entered Mr Doherty's house they found him at the washing machine, clothes were spilling out of the machine and there was a strong smell of accelerant in the house. Mr Doherty also had burns to his hands.

He denied any involvement in the fire, but in April this year he pleaded guilty to count 1, which was setting fire to the car.

In her victim impact statement Shauna Keenan described the terror she endured the night of the fire. How she had to pull her two sons from their beds to evacuate the house and how she was terrified that a fire ball would engulf her home.

She said her boys still talk about that night. She felt intimidated whenever she saw Mr Doherty in the town. To compound her distress, one of her boys was diagnosed with cancer 9 months ago.

In today's judgement, Judge Keenan Johnson wished her son well and hoped he will make a speedy recovery.

Judge Johnson said Mr Doherty had breached his bail conditions by sending a card apologising to Ms Keenan, which he described as inappropriate.

He said there had been an element of planning on Mr Doherty's part as he had a hammer and a petrol can with him.

The judge spoke of the €22,400 worth of damage to Ms Keenan's home. Her neighbour Fiona Dalton has also suffered thousands of euro worth of damage to her home and while Ms Keenan was reimbursed somewhat  through insurance, Ms Dalton was left to cover the full cost of the damage.

He noted that the probation services had indicated that Mr Doherty had a high risk of reoffending and he needs to address his unemployment and mental health issues.

In mitigation Judge Johnson said Mr Doherty had expressed remorse but added that he appears to still have an element of infatuation with Ms Keenan.

He noted that he had gathered up €10,000 in compensation and wants to pay more.

His probation report said that he suffered from Attention Deficit Disorder and Aspergers and was suitable for probation supervision.

He noted that Mr Doherty had started psychotherapy, attended Men Power and was doing a welding course. He had no previous convictions and enjoyed good support from his family.

The probation report had indicated that because of his stature there was a possibility of him being targeted by other prisoners. Also prison may not serve his needs and might make him more volatile.

However, Judge Johnson said that the prison service has the experience to deal with this type of situation should it arise.

Judge Johnson said he had to balance Mr Doherty's needs with those of the victim. She had pleaded with him to stop, but he had just laughed.

He sentenced Faris Doherty to seven and a half years with the final two and a half years suspended on his own bond of €500. On his release he is to have no contact with Shauna Keenan. He is to submit to the supervision of the probation services and keep the peace for 12 months.