AN arsonist who torched the home of a neighbour from hell after “continuous and extreme provocation” escaped jail yesterday.
The Irish Independent reports todat that instead, Reginald Greene (21) was ordered by a Circuit Court judge to carry out 240 hours of community service.
Mr Greene, formerly of Emerald Drive, Killybegs, Co Donegal, was before Donegal Circuit Court for burning the home of neighbour, Michael O’Shea (42).
The court heard that a litany of unsociable behaviour by Mr O’Shea, an alcoholic, culminating in Mr O’Shea chewing Mr Greene’s food and spitting it at him in a Chinese restaurant.
It was alleged that Mr O’Shea gatecrashed Mr Greene’s wedding party when Mr Greene married his girlfriend, Pauline Friel.
“He was a neighbour from hell. He broke my children’s toys. He gave them and other children verbal abuse,” he told the court.
Later, Mr Greene went to Mr O’Shea’s unlocked home and, after checking the house was empty, threw a lighted paper on a duvet-covered bed and another on the front-room sofa.
The blaze caused €14,130 to the council property and another €5,000 worth of damage to furniture.
Detective Garda John Breslin confirmed to the court that there was a history of continuous conflict between the two.
He said that Mr Greene was definitely aware the house was empty when he set the fire.
You can read the full report by clicking below: