A judge has described as "appalling" that a Longford man, who was the victim of an arson attack, was billed over €1,400 by the fire service.
Keenan Johnson made the comments at Longford Circuit Court following an incident in February of last year.
On the night of the 6th of February 2021, a man living at Park Road in Longford woke to a broken window at his home.
Gardai attended the scene but shortly afterwards the victim noticed a man at the broken window and a lit firelighter on his windowsill.
Moments later the man heard a bang at the rear of his home and saw two vehicles ablaze next door.
Emergency services attended and no injuries were reported and no damage was caused to any homes.
Longford Circuit Court heard that Paddy Rogers, with an address of Farnagh, Longford pleaded guilty to criminal damage and arson following the incidents.
The owner of the vehicles outlined in his victim impact statement that he did not live at the property and was storing the vehicles there.
The van was worth approximately €1500 and the car was worth €700 and he was billed for the fire service attendance at the incident a total of €1470.
This promoted Judge Keenan Johnson to describe the bill as "grossly unfair" when the man was a "victim of crime" and said it was an "appalling state of affairs" and that bills "should not be sent to the victim".
The court heard the accused is at a high risk of re-offending and has three previous convictions.
He was remanded in custody for the finalisation of his sentence to July 25th.
Longford County Council has been contacted for a statement.
