A court has heard that a Tralee man poured petrol on the neck of a former school friend and lit it on fire while he slept.
Tralee Circuit Court judge Ronan Munro said there was no explanation from 32-year-old Tadhg Moran of 44 Mitchels Road, Tralee, as to why he set a human being on fire with petrol.
The injured party, 34-year-old Michael O’Shea from Causeway, told the court he cannot sleep as he is afraid to, since the incident.
Mr Moran and Mr O’Shea, who had gone to school together, happened upon each other on a night out in Tralee on the 21st September 2024.
The pair had not seen each other in years but spent the rest of the night socialising together; the court heard things were extremely cordial between them.
Mr Moran invited Mr O’Shea back to his house on Mitchels Road in Tralee, before Mr O’Shea fell asleep in Tadhg Moran’s kitchen.
He then woke up to his neck burning, and immediately put out the flame, before leaving the house and eventually presenting at University Hospital Kerry for his injuries.
Mr Moran was arrested and made admissions, that he had poured a few drops of petrol on Mr O’Shea’s neck while he slept, got a lighter and set him on fire.
The court heard that the only ill-word between them all night had been a brief and minor disagreement about Mr Moran’s treatment of his dog, but Mr Moran did not use this as an explanation for the incident.
Mr O’Shea suffered burns to his neck and ear, and was referred to a consultant plastic surgeon.
Detective garda John Gilmartin, led by prosecuting barrister Tom Rice, agreed there was no logic to what occurred.
Mr O’Shea told the court in his victim impact statement, he has had to give up work as he’s not able to sleep since the incident.
He said he suffers from night terrors, PTSD, insomnia, depression, and panic attacks, and the attack is a constant weight on his shoulders.
He said he hopes Mr Moran gets the help he needs.
Defending barrister Katie O’Connell submitted Mr Moran entered an early guilty plea, and has alcohol issues, but hasn’t drank since.
Judge Ronan Munro said lots of people drink themselves insensible, but they don’t set humans on fire.
Mr Moran read out an apology to Michael O’Shea in court, in which he said he takes responsibility for his actions.
Judge Munro adjourned the case for a psychological report on Mr Moran, and he told Mr Moran, “You’re in big trouble”.
