Man entered property with sword, daggers, knives and kerosene 

A man who smashed a window and entered a property with several weapons including a sword and a bottle of kerosene has pleaded guilty before Roscommon Circuit Court to those offences and a separate offence of arson.

Kieran Flanagan, formerly of Tarmon Manor, Castlerea, appeared before Judge Kenneth Connolly where he pleaded guilty to three offences.

The first of those charges related to May 6th, 2025, at a property at Lyons’s Apartments, Castlerea, where he admitted to breaking a window.

On the same date and at the same apartment, he admitted to entering as a trespasser with a long sword, a long triangle-bladed dagger, a long flat-bladed dagger, a craft knife, a pen knife, a glass bottle of kerosene with a sock stuffed in the neck of the bottle, and a glass bottle of kerosene with traces of kerosene.

The third charge related to the following day at Tarmon Manor, Castlerea, where he set his own home alight by dropping a candle. The fire spread to a neighbouring house and Mr Flanagan pleaded guilty to arson causing damage to both properties.

Desmond Dockery SC outlined to the court that his client has been in custody with consent to bail since May 21st of last year, but he has been unable to meet the bail terms.

“What this man has to do is address a lifelong issue that he has intermittently with alcohol misuse,” he said, adding that Mr Flanagan also needs to address an issue of drug misuse, in particular cannabis, which he has had “for many, many decades”.

Mr Dockery requested that the court remand Mr Flanagan on the same terms to November, and made an application for a governor’s report.

“I’ve explained to him that he must seek treatment within the prison with regard to his misuse of cannabis,” he said.

Judge Connolly noted that it “might be of benefit to simply remand him in custody” as Mr Flanagan has been unable to take up bail. That would “absolutely” entitle him to credit for time served if he does receive a custodial sentence.

He remanded the accused in custody on all charges to November 3rd for sentence, and directed a governor’s report and victim impact statements.

*Published as part of the Courts Reporting Scheme.