The offence he's pleaded guilty carries a maximum prison sentence of seven years.
A Westmeath man has claimed he did not believe there was anyone inside a property when he set fire to the front door of a house near his own home two years ago.
70 year old Michael Kincaid appeared before a sitting of Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court to be arraigned on a charge related to arson on a property at Temple Linn, Ballymore, Co Westmeath on February 5, 2020.
Kincaid of Market Hill, Ballymore, Co Westmeath pleaded guilty to the offence of intentionally or recklessly engaging in conduct which created a substantial risk of death or serious harm contrary to Section 13 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.
The offence carries a maximum term of imprisonment of seven years.
The court heard there were a number of people inside the property at the time that Kincaid set its front door alight.
“I didn’t realise anyone was in the home,” Kincaid told Judge Keenan Johnson.
Counsel for Kincaid, Kenneth Fogarty SC, said there was nothing in his client’s past to suggest he would engage in such behaviour.
However, Mr Fogarty said Kincaid had been seeking treatment for an addiction to alcohol.
The court heard he had 21 previous convictions for offences including assault and possession of a knife.
Sentencing in the case was adjourned until a later date.
Status Yellow Fog Warning Issued For Midlands Tomorrow
Offaly Author Releases Book On County's Place In Irish History
Offaly Branch Of Charity Double Donations In Christmas Campaign
Music Generation Offaly Release Christmas Single
Midlands Youth Clubs Open Doors For Oíche na hÓige
Laois TD Highlights Importance Of Housing Defence Forces Veterans
Laois People Crowned Most Hardworking In Ireland
Westmeath Steakhouse Closing Down Over Rising Costs
Minister For Children Launches Community Families In Offaly
Campaign To End Gender Based Violence Launching In Westmeath
Ryanair Slam World Cup Price Gouging Claims
Madness Leads First Line-Up Announcement For Award Winning Laois Festival
Midlands Weather Warning Lifted As Frosty Conditions Continue
Six People Held In Relation To Missing Garda Drug Seizure Released
Housing Commencements Continue To Fall In Midlands
Offaly Man To Launch Book On Slieve Bloom River
Midlands Couple Call For Political Intervention On Housing Development
Midlands Communities Gather To Object Wind Farm Plans
Five Couples Remain In Limbo Over Future Midlands Homes
Russian Spy Ship Near Irish Waters