Man allegedly tried to set fire to his wife after a disagreement in Laois

A man appeared in court accused of pouring petrol over his wife before trying to set it alight after a disagreement. 

The man (54), who has a Laois address and cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Portlaoise District Court accused of assault causing harm at an address in Laois on April 25 last. 

Detective Garda Olga Gorman said the defendant made no reply to the charge when it was put to him. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the man faced one charge of assault causing harm and  “the DPP has directed summary disposal” in the case, meaning it was to remain in the district court. 

Judge Andrew Cody asked about the nature of the allegation. 

Det Gorman said the alleged incident arose as a result of a disagreement. The man was “shouting at her” and left before he returned “brandishing a jerry can” and then “poured petrol over” the woman.

Det Gorman said the man had allegedly “tried without success to ignite the accelerant” and the incident had been recorded on a mobile phone. 

Judge Cody said he would only accept jurisdiction if there was a guilty plea in the case. 

However, Solicitor Philip Meagher said “this is a situation where the complainant does not wish to proceed” with the prosecution. He said she was very firm in that view.  

Mr Meagher requested reporting restrictions in the case. 

Judge Cody agreed to the reporting restrictions and said neither the accused or the alleged injured party or their addresses can be published.  

He granted the man bail and adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on November 14 for a plea or a date for hearing.