A fireman with Kerry County Council has appeared in court charged in relation to lighting a fire in a bog which he was later called to put out.
Killorglin District Court, which was sitting in Caherciveen, heard the man is facing two charges.
It is alleged he lit the gorse land, belonging to Kerry County Council, on fire so the fire brigade would be called out and he would get paid.
36-year-old David Ahern of St James Gardens, Killorglin is charged with committing arson on April 13th 2020 at Cromane Upper, Killorglin in that he damaged by fire property, namely gorse land.
The damage was with intent to defraud, according to the alleged offence, which is contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act 1991.
Mr Ahern is also charged that on the date and location in question he dishonestly, by deception, induced the fire service department of Kerry County Council to pay him €151.04 for attending a fire at Cromane Upper, Killorglin.
Sergeant Miriam Mulhall Nolan told Judge David Waters the Director of Public Prosecutions directed the case could be dealt with in the District Court and jurisdiction was to be decided.
In response to questions from the judge, the sergeant confirmed it is being alleged the purpose of the fire was to get payment for the call out.
The court heard 1.5 acres of land was damaged by the fire.
Judge Waters accepted jurisdiction and adjourned the matter to July 8th next.
Solicitor for the accused, Brendan Ahern said he would be applying for legal aid in due course as his client was on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.
