Warned not to drink as much

Two men aged 20 and 21 were found in a drunken state near a builder’s premises which was on fire, Dundalk Court heard on Wednesday.

Gerard McKeown (21), Wallace’s Cove, Blackrock and Barry Soraghan (20), Prospect Knockbridge were before the court on charges relating to the incident. McKeown was charged with burglary at the premises of McEnaney Construction, Ramparts while Soraghan was charged with criminal damage and burglary.

The court was told that e1,000 worth of damage was caused to the building which had since become vacant.

Inspector Martin Beggy told the court that the fire brigade had been called to the scene and the two defendants had been found outside the premises.

Solicitor Frank McDonnell said that the two me had been drinking all day.

They did not know what they were doing and it was unclear how the fire had started.

They had been encountered outside the premises and admitted having been inside the building, he said. They were both of previous excellent character and had faced up to the case “in a manly way”.

Dismissing the case under the Probation of Offenders Act, Judge Flann Brennan warned them “Don’t drink this much ever again.” They were to pay e1,000 to McEnaney’s.