By Ronan Judge

A 21-year-old carer has appeared in court charged with committing arson with intent to endanger life or being reckless as to whether life would be endangered, at a home on the east side of Galway city earlier this year.

Anna Maria Chiper, with an address at 205 Pace Avenue, Littlepace, Clonee, Dublin, is accused of two arson offences on March 9 at Castlepark, Ballybane.

At Galway District Court, Detective Garda Ronan Leonard said the accused replied “I don’t agree”, when both charges were put to her, under caution, at Galway Courthouse.

Det Leonard said there were no objections to bail subject to the accused surrendering her passport by a certain date and signing on twice a week at a local Garda station.

Sergeant Joanne McGhee told the court that the Director of Public prosecutions (DPP) had directed prosecution on indictment in the Circuit Criminal Court with consent for the accused to be sent forward on a signed plea of guilty, should it arise.

Defence solicitor, Martina Moran, told the court a book of evidence is being sought, meaning the case might proceed to trial before judge and jury in the Circuit Court.

Ms Moran said her client works as a carer and given the serious nature of the charges, was a suitable candidate for legal aid.

Judge Catherine Ryan granted the application and remanded the accused on bail to appear again on November 10.

In the case, Anna Maria Chiper faces two charges contrary to section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act

It is alleged that on March 9, at Castlepark, she committed arson, causing fire damage to the interior and exterior of a property at Castlepark belonging to a named woman.

The charge alleges she was reckless as to whether such property would be damaged and intending by the said damage to endanger the life of another or being reckless as to whether the life of another would be thereby endangered.

The accused is also charged that on March 9, at Castlepark Ballybane, she set on fire a Black Renault Clio belonging to a named woman.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme