'I don't care if children died': Activist denied bail over Dublin mosque arson attack

Tom Tuite

A self-described anti-Islam activist charged over an alleged arson attack on a mosque in Dublin city centre told gardaí he was opposed to sharia law in Ireland and did not care if children died in the fire, a court has heard.

Iranian national Saeid Khosroabadi (41) of Seville Place, Dublin 1, was arrested following a garda investigation into a blaze at the doorway of the Faizan E Madinah Mosque, on Talbot Street, in the north inner city, just before 3:30 pm.

Mr Khosroabadi, who is purported to have told gardaí that he hated Islam and called its followers "dirty people". He allegedly said he was proud of what he had done.

Bail was denied by Judge Michele Finan at Dublin District Court on Wednesday.

A bail hearing was told that during the course of his Garda interview, Mr Saeid Khosroabadi stated several times that he was proud of what he had done and was "disappointed" that the mosque had not burned down. It was claimed he repeatedly referred to those inside the mosque as "dirty people".

Emergency services, including over 20 firefighters, four engines, and gardaí, responded after thick smoke engulfed the street.

The premises were safely evacuated, and the nearby Department of Education offices on Marlborough Street were also cleared as a precaution. No injuries were reported, though the fire resulted in substantial traffic disruption.

Mr Khosroabadi was charged with committing arson, causing criminal damage at the mosque. The offence, on conviction, is punishable by a 10-year sentence.

Garda Shane Costello gave evidence of arrest charge and caution, telling the court that Mr Khosroabadi's reply to the charge was "I tried to set a mosque on fire, that is what I did, yes".

Judge Finan noted that the officer intended to object to bail; however, the accused had no legal representation. That was due to the current industrial action, in which solicitors have withdrawn services in a row over changes that will provide flat fees for District Court legal aid cases, which came into force on Wednesday.

Solicitor Tracy Horan told Judge Finan she had acted for the accused before but could not represent him now as a result of the ongoing dispute between solicitors and the justice minister over reforms to the free legal aid scheme.

Some 60 solicitors were present in the courtroom in support at the time, and they all then walked out of the building with Ms Horan after she addressed the judge.

Garda Costello objected to bail based on the seriousness of the offence and his firm belief that the accused would go to the mosque and "attempt to attack it or the people inside again".

He alleged Mr Khosroabadi, who claimed he was drunk that day, filled up a litre bottle with petrol at a local garage and went to the area.

Garda Costello said witnesses reported that a male had poured an accelerant on the front door of the mosque and set it alight.

The officer described the area as very busy, with significant footfall, and said numerous businesses were operating at the time.

The court heard that following CCTV enquiries conducted by Store Street Media Unit, it was established that a male appeared to pour "some sort of accelerant onto the door of the mosque.

Garda Costello said a witness then heard the same male shout, "I will finish this mosque; I will fire this mosque. I don't like them to be here."

The court heard that within a few seconds, "the fire then rises up the front doorway of the mosque on the outside facade of the building, causing extensive damage to the building. A number of people, including several children were present inside the mosque at the time of the fire starting."

Following enquiries, gardaí arrested the accused at his flat, and he replied, "I burned the mosque, and I'd do it again”.

The court heard he had told gardaí he was watching RTÉ and saw a story about a mosque in Galway that had been burned, "and it triggered me. So, I got some petrol, and I burned the mosque".

Saeid Khosroabadi allegedly said, "I hate Islam. I burned the mosque, and when you release me, I will burn it again”.

He was interviewed three times and allegedly told officers, "I hoped the whole mosque would burn down. I hate the mosques. Muslims are a dirty people. Islam is a dirty religion. People who believe in Islam are dirty people. The way they treat their wives and daughters is disgusting.”

The unemployed accused, dressed in a black T-shirt and black trousers, opted to represent himself in the circumstances of the solicitors' action.

He pleaded for bail, but the judge warned him not to make speeches and told him of the dangers of self-incrimination.

He quizzed the garda about failing to mention he had admitted being drunk before the incident, which the officer accepted.

Judge Finan refused bail and remanded him in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on July 8. She also refused jurisdiction to retain the case, meaning it will be sent to the Circuit Court, which has wider sentencing powers and directed the preparation of a book of evidence by the Director of Public Prosecutions.