Courts / Dublin / Report
Father-of-three jailed for six years for setting fire to head shop
Summary
David Flynn, a 42‑year‑old father of three from York Street, Dublin, was convicted of arson at the Nirvana head shop on Capel Street on 12 February 2010. He set the shop on fire because he held a grudge over his brother's drug‑related death, which the court said may have involved the shop's sale of drugs. CCTV footage showed Flynn with another man and later with bolt cutters entering the shop's side gate. The blaze caused €1 million in damage, forced residents to evacuate, and closed a busy city‑centre street for days. Five Dublin Fire Brigade units were required to control the flames, which also destroyed a neighbouring head shop and an adult store. Flynn pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and was sentenced to six years' imprisonment by Judge Martin Nolan, who noted his 65 previous convictions and his low risk of re‑offending.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Father-of-three jailed for six years for setting fire to head shop. Charges or matters: arson at the Nirvana head shop, Capel Street on February 12, 2010. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- February 12, 2010 Incident
- 2015-02-16 Publication
Why: A Dublin father-of-three set fire to a head shop because of a grudge he held over the drug related death of his brother, a court has heard. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: arson at the Nirvana head shop, Capel Street on February 12, 2010 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Places mentioned
- York Street
- Dublin
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Capel Street
Topics
Arson Drugs Stage Hearing Or Decision
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