An unemployed father of one has been remanded in custody after he was charged in connection with an arson attack which caused an estimated €3 million worth of damage including the destruction of a restaurant.
Vladimir Raspopov (33), a native of Moldova but with an address at Mary Street, Cork, was charged at Skibbereen District Court yesterday with criminal damage to the Church Restaurant at Bridge, Skibbereen on April 9th.
Det Garda Maurice Shanley gave evidence of arresting and charging Mr Raspopov with the offence. He had nothing to say in reply to the charge when it was put to him after caution, Det Garda Shanley said.
Insp Seán Healy said that gardaí were objecting to bail and seeking a remand in custody as they feared Mr Raspopov might not stand trial if he was granted bail.
Insp Healy said gardaí had concerns about him getting bail because of the tenuous nature of his ties with the jurisdiction and because of the serious nature of the charge and possible penalty if convicted.
Gardaí believed that Mr Raspopov had a serious case to answer and there was good quality evidence available to gardaí. He added that other charges may also follow.
Mr Raspopov's solicitor, Peter Flynn, said that his client had been in Ireland for six years and had a child here. He had been working in construction up until January but was now unemployed and he was seeking bail, said Mr Flynn.
Judge James McNulty said that he wanted time to consider the matter and he remanded Mr Raspopov in custody to appear again at Bandon District Court today when he will give his decision on the question of bail.
