Mosque arson suspect asks gardaí for family numbers from seized phone

Tom Tuite

A self-styled anti-Islam activist charged over a Dublin mosque arson has pleaded with gardaí to retrieve family contact numbers from his phone so he can call them from prison.

Iranian national Saeid Khosroabadi (41) of Seville Place, Dublin 1, was arrested following a blaze at the doorway of the Faizan E Madinah Mosque, on Talbot Street, in the north inner city, just before 3.30 pm on June 29th.

It is alleged he told gardaí he was opposed to sharia law in Ireland and did not care if children died in the fire.

Khosroabadi was charged with committing arson, causing criminal damage at the mosque. The offence, on conviction, is punishable by a 10-year sentence.

Khosroabadi is claimed to have told gardaí that he hated Islam and called its followers "dirty people".

Bail was denied on July 1, when he was remanded in custody, and he appeared again at Cloverhill District Court on Wednesday.

It had already been held that the case was too serious for the District Court and should be transferred to the Circuit Court, which has broader sentencing powers. Prosecutors must serve him with a book of evidence before the granting of a return for trial order.

Judge Alan Mitchell noted that the State had another three weeks to complete it or it could be struck out unless there is a good reason for not being ready.

Khosroabadi repeated that he was an anti-Islam activist and consented to being remanded in continuing custody. The court heard that his phone had been seized for examination as part of the case, but he wanted the numbers of his "mom and brother," which were saved in his contacts and email app.

Judge Mitchell said the man, in the normal course, was entitled to contact his family. Garda Shane Costello assured the court, "I will look after it".

The accused had no legal representation due to ongoing industrial action, in which solicitors have withdrawn services in a row over changes that will provide flat fees for District Court legal aid cases.

He will appear again on August 5th next.

A bail hearing three weeks ago was told that during the course of his Garda interview, Khosroabadi stated he was "disappointed" that the mosque had not burned down.

Emergency services, including over 20 firefighters, four engines, and gardaí, responded after thick smoke engulfed the street.

The premises were safely evacuated with no reported injuries.

Garda Costello told the bail hearing court that Mr Khosroabadi's reply to the charge was "I tried to set a mosque on fire, that is what I did, yes".

Garda Costello feared the accused would go to the mosque and "attempt to attack it or the people inside again".

He had alleged Khosroabadi, who claimed he was drunk that day, filled up a litre bottle with petrol at a local garage and went to the area.

Garda Costello said witnesses reported that a male had poured an accelerant on the front door of the mosque and set it alight.

The officer described the area as very busy. A witness allegedly heard the same man shout, "I will finish this mosque; I will fire this mosque. I don't like them to be here."

Several people, including children, were present inside the mosque when the blaze broke out.

Following enquiries, gardaí arrested the accused at his flat, and he allegedly said, "I hate Islam. I burned the mosque, and when you release me, I will burn it again".