Judge says man jailed for harassing woman and setting fire to her home has 'good' still in him

David Raleigh

A judge, who jailed a man for 10 years for harassing a woman and setting her house on fire, said he believed the man still had a lot of “good” in him.

John Ryan (34) was jailed by Judge Simon McAleese at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court after he admitted the charges.

Ryan, of Heather Grove, Dooradoyle, Limerick, was at the time in breach of bail for harassing the woman, when he armed himself with chisels and smashed through a window at her home, causing her to flee in terror. Ryan then set fire to the apartment.

In his judgement McAleese said he had taken into account that, at the time of his offending, Ryan was suffering from the effects of severe depressive and psychological distress as a result of past trauma.

McAleese told Ryan he had committed “truly dreadful” crimes against the woman, but that he hoped Ryan would find a way of moving forward with his life in a positive way and reduce his risk of reoffending before he gets out of jail.

“I wish you well in that regard, I do believe you have a deal of good in you,” the judge told Ryan.

“You do need to get straightened out, and I believe prison is a good place for that.

“Hopefully you will then be a safer person and a safer prospect for society."

The judge said Ryan pleaded guilty to harassing the woman on June 3rd, 2024, in “particularly vile” communications which put the woman “in fear”.

McAleese said he did not want to repeat the “appalling” nature of Ryan’s harassing communications, as the victim was in court and he did not want to risk re-traumatising her.

“She is a decent and reputable person who had the misfortune of encountering you,” the judge told Ryan.

McAleese said he had to balance Ryan’s “truly dreadful” offending with mitigation factors, including that Ryan had suffered “terrible” difficulties in his life arising out of his mother’s death.

Ryan also pleaded guilty to committing aggravated burglary and arson at the woman’s home on August 10th, 2024.

“In terms of the harm done, the victim’s property was attacked in the most violent and frightening fashion,” said the judge.

“The woman’s front door was locked, and he (Ryan) smashed her kitchen window in gaining entry, cutting himself in the process, and the woman fled the property in terror.

“He (Ryan) was armed with chisels and he instilled terror in the fortunate victim before setting fire to her home.”

“It was a vicious and dreadful attack on the victim’s house.”

Victim impact statement

In her victim impact statement, the woman said she had lost her sense of safety, her mental health was damaged, and she felt withdrawn and on edge — “it was a terrible thing,” remarked the judge.

“He (Ryan) has a terrible list of previous convictions, some of which are relevant, most notably an arson attack on a building in 2009, which resulted in a conviction before Cork Circuit Criminal Court in June 2013. He also has convictions for possession of knives,” said the judge.

A psychological assessment report, in respect of Ryan, found he was less of a risk of reoffending when not abusing substances, that he had real insight into the harm he caused, and he had “expressed shame, remorse and regret”.

The judge said he believed the report revealed “a glimmer” of hope for Ryan.

The judge said he was satisfied to reduce a headline sentence of 15 years to 12 years because of Ryan’s guilty plea.

The judge further reduced the sentence to ten years, back-dating the sentence to August 10th, 2024, after taking into account Ryan’s earlier “terrible difficulties”.

In respect of the harassment offence, McAleese reduced a headline sentence of two-and-a-half years in prison, to one-and-a-half years. Both sentences are to run concurrently.

Psychological health services

The judge also ordered that Ryan could never communicate with the victim again, nor was he ever to approach her place of residence, work or education.

He said prison was presently “the best place” for both Ryan and the general public.

The judge also ordered that Ryan receive all and any necessary psychological health services while he was in prison.

Speaking afterwards, the victim, who was supported in court by family members, said: “I am happy with the outcome, I wasn’t expecting (Ryan) to get ten years. It’s been adjourned a few times, so I am glad it is over now, I’m relieved.

“It was horrible, I lost everything and I’m back living at my mother and fathers trying to rebuild my life, but I am just happy now that a line has been drawn under it. I’m just lucky to have my family and friends around me.”