A man who has been charged with arson has been granted bail. 

The court heard submissions regarding where Matthew Acheson (18), of Queen Street, Enniskillen could be bailed to. 

Arguments were heard from the defendant’s barrister, Ciaran Roddy, and the PSNI, with details coming from all sides as to where bail for Acheson could be granted.

A PSNI constable told the court: “On October 9, 2021, a Volkswagen Golf was set alight. The car was totally burnt out; the injured party is a young woman who has moved into a family home with her three-year-old son.” 

The incident happened in the Tamlaght area of Fermangh.

“The injured party believes that this [the arson attack on her car] is a retaliation for a report to the dog warden,” the court was told.

The court heard of a figure on CCTV footage who had their “hands in the air, in a victory-style salute".

Later evidence read to the court described how the defendant could be seen on CCTV footage with a bag, and later on the defendant’s mother was seen returning to the home with a bag, which police believe to have contained clothing.

House-to-house enquiries were carried out by the PSNI, and witnesses noted a man in dark clothing and a “Covid-style mask”.

The defendant was later arrested in October.

The PSNI constable informed the court that the proposed bail address was at the defendant's grandparent’s home in Garrison, but “his grandfather had not been made aware of [the] arrangement".

It was stressed in the court that the PSNI "believe there is a real risk of reoffending if he is granted bail”.

In court, the PSNI constable asked that one of the conditions be that Acheson could not enter Fermanagh.

Defence for Acheson intervened, and barrister Ciaran Roddy said: “There are places in Tyrone, Armagh and other counties that are closer to Tamlaght than the proposed address.”

Judge Keown set the bail for £500 with some stipulations, including that the accused is banned from entering Enniskillen, and an exclusion zone around Tamlaght, which will be illustrated on a map; the defendant must reside in a bail address suitable for police; and he must have no contact with witnesses, nor incite others to contact witnesses on his behalf.

As part of his bail conditions, the accused must not enter a licensed premises; he will also be subject to preliminary breath tests; and his bail is subject to a full no-alcohol condition, and the accused must not consume non-prescription drugs. 
He will be subject to a curfew from 9pm to 7.30am.
The matter will next appear before Enniskillen Magistrates Court on March 28.