A Donegal resident has appeared in court, charged with arson causing a fire in which a female in her 80s died.
Guenter Lohse (61) of Coolvoy, Doochary, County Donegal appeared in Sligo District Court this morning, charged with committing arson at Coolvoy, Doochary on April 12th in that he did, without lawful excuse, damage by fire, a house at Coolvoy belonging to Martin Caulfield intending to damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be damaged and intending by the said damages to endanger the life of another or being reckless as to whether the life or another would be endangered.
Garda Ciara Gibbons gave evidence of arresting and charging the defendant at Ballyshannon Garda Station at 10.59 pm on April 14.
He made no comment to the charge.
Defence Solicitor Tom MacSharry said there would be no application for bail.
Mr MacSharry said the defendant had been getting on-going treatment and had a psychiatric evaluation and a doctor had visited the defendant a number of times while he was in custody.
Mr MacSharry applied for his client to get all appropriate medical and psychiatric treatment while in prison and he asked that his client be placed on suicide watch.
Mr MacSharry said it was a very tragic case.
Inspector David Durkin applied for the case to be put back to Falcarragh District Court sitting in Letterkenny via video on April 20th.
Judge Sandra Murphy adjourned the case to that date.
