Described as a particularly ‘nasty offence’
AN arson attack ordered to be carried out on a truck and other equipment of a rival company by a Limerick businessman in 2005, has resulted in a 43-year-old man being given a two-year suspended sentence at Limerick Circuit Court.
Compensation to the sum of €130,000 has been handed over to the injured party in the interim after the attack was described as a “nasty offence” and a deliberate act, aimed at putting a rival company out of business.
43-year-old John Fanning, with an address at The Gables, Pennywell, ordered that a truck and equipment of an opposing company be burnt out in an attempt to put them out of business, at Ballyneety Golf Club on May 6, 2005.
Limerick Circuit Court previously ordered that Fanning pay over the sum of €130,000 in compensation to the owner of the rival drain cleaning company, and Judge Carroll Moran heard that the accused paid over €69,000 to the injured party up until last February, and that he was trying to sell his father’s land to come up with the balance.
Judge Carroll Moran described it as a particularly “nasty offence” against a competitor and that it was “quite a stupid thing to do”.
As arson carried a life sentence upon conviction and due to its very serious nature, Judge Carroll Moran noted the accused had paid over a substantial sum of money in compensation.
Mark Nicholas, defence counsel, said his client borrowed some €80,000 of the total sum ordered by the courts in December 2008.
Mr Fanning, it was said, was working to pay back those debts now.
Prosecuting for the State, John O’Sullivan recommended that Detective Garda Mark Deasy, be applauded for ensuring that all the compensation money was paid.
Judge Carroll Moran imposed a two year sentence, suspended for a period of two years.
