TWO BROTHERS have appeared at the Circuit Criminal Court charged with starting a fire at a house where their aunt and her elderly partner were in bed.
James Walsh jnr (29) and Michael Walsh (22) are to appear in court in Waterford again this morning charged with causing criminal damage by fire to the “old house” at Garra West, Ballyduff Upper, Co Waterford, on March 28th, 2008.
Noel Whelan, prosecuting, told the jury yesterday how the house was signed over to James Walsh jnr in August 2007 while his elderly aunt Eileen Walsh and her partner Jack Sullivan were living there.
The court heard how James “Jimmy” Walsh, the men’s father, moved his family into a new bungalow and his son James jnr was due to renovate stables on the land into living quarters for Ms Walsh and her partner. However, this could not take place as James Walsh jnr had financial problems.
Det Garda Denis Ryan said Mr Walsh told him he and his brother entered the house through a window on March 28th, 2008 as the front door was locked.
Ms Walsh said: “We were in watching the Late Late Show and went to bed at about quarter to 12. James was in the kitchen.”
She said James jnr later told her the house was on fire.
The trial continues today.
