Naas Courthouse. Photo: Kildare Now A man has been remanded in custody over the alleged arson of the parochial house in Athy, Co. Kildare, on February 18.
James Rowan (45) faces allegations of burglary and criminal damage, which caused hundreds of thousands of euros worth of damage, Naas District Court was told.
Garda Ken McDonald alleged the defendant stole cash and items from the house, after earlier coming to ask Fr Liam Rigney PP for money for tea and a bus ticket.
The garda objected to bail being granted and said Mr Rowan has a hatred towards the clergy and the priesthood. He feared he would commit further crime to feed a drug habit.
He claimed the defendant said Fr Rigney should have been tied to the bed and burned in it. He further claimed he said ”90% of priests in the country should be drowned”.
Solicitor Brian Larkin said the defendant has nothing against Fr Rigney. Mr Rowan said he bears no ill will to the priest, saying he was “molested years ago” but “that it is dealt with”, according to The Leinster Leader.
Judge Desmond Zaidan said the defendant is presumed innocent and “you’d have to be inhuman not to feel sorry for drug addicts”.
He refused Mr Rowan bail and remanded him in custody, directing that he receive medical treatment.