Man who set fire to home with sister inside granted bail

A Belfast man accused of setting fire to his family home while a younger sister and her three teenage friends were inside has been granted High Court bail.

Lord Justice Weir ruled Marc McGrandles could be released after being told his parents were willing to let him return to their house in north Belfast.

The 21-year-old faces charges of arson with intent to endanger life, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault.

He is alleged to have doused one girl in petrol during the incident at the semi-detached property on Oldpark Road in the early hours of July 20th.

According to the case against him he then started a blaze by flicking a lit cigarette and turning on a gas cooker.

McGrandles’ mother and father had been staying at a caravan in Co Down at the time.

A previous court was told he got into an argument with his 17-year-old sister while three of her friends were in the house.

It was claimed that he punched her repeatedly before going downstairs and then returning with a petrol canister.

He allegedly splashed some of the contents on the first floor landing outside his sister’s bedroom.

The four girls escaped before a patch of petrol was set alight.

With firefighters called out to the scene, no serious damage was caused to the property.

Concerns were raised at claims McGrandles had repeatedly stated his intention was to kill himself.

Lord Justice Weir was also told the accused had recently split up with a girlfriend.

Defence counsel Conor O’Kane insisted the alleged arson was an “horrific one-off incident”.

He argued that his client believed his sister and her friends had left before any fire was started.

“His account is that once he realises there are people in the house he gets them out of the house,” the barrister said.

Danger to others

But the judge identified the potential danger to others, including neighbours on the street.

“Look at cases from England, huge numbers of people burnt to death with exactly this sort of behaviour,” he pointed out.

“I wouldn’t wax too lyrical in defence of him.”

Granting bail, however, Lord Justice Weir cited the willingness of McGrandles’ parents – who were in court – to stand by him.

He told the defendant: “I think it’s a pretty generous position to adopt, considering you tried to burn their house down.

“It’s time you grew up, you’re 21 years of age, stop blaming other people for your problems and take responsibility yourself.”

McGrandles must abide by a curfew, electronic tagging and a ban on alcohol.

He is also to consult with a doctor within 48 hours of his release.