Serial arsonist gets seven years for blaze at home he also damaged 23 years ago

A 46-year-old man has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment following a deliberate fire at a house in Shankill, Dublin in December 2024. Jason Flynn of Longford House, Spencer Dock, Dublin 1, pleaded guilty to arson at the address on 5 December 2024 and possession of cannabis for sale or supply on 23 December 2024. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Flynn travelled over 19 kilometres to set fire to a car and Christmas wreath at the family home in the early hours, knowing a family of five was inside. A neighbour's alert enabled their escape. The court was told this was the second fire Flynn had caused at the property; he had previously set a fire there in 2001 after being evicted from the adjacent house, which he then occupied. Judge Martin Nolan noted Flynn acted with malice and forethought, stating that had the family not been alerted, fire could have entered the home with potentially fatal consequences. Flynn has 19 previous convictions including arson and assault causing serious harm.