Waterford woman pleads guilty to arson and false imprisonment charges
Waterford Courthouse
A Waterford woman has pleaded guilty on two separate charges of arson and false imprisonment.
Lavinia McMahon, last address given as McGwire House, Bath St, Waterford, appeared at Waterford Circuit Court before Judge Eugene O'Kelly.
The 30-year-old is currently in custody.
She pleaded guilty to a charge of false imprisonment contrary to Section 15(1) of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997, when on April 25, 2024, she committed the act at the HSE premises on the Cork Road in Waterford.
McMahon went on to plead guilty to one count of arson contrary to Section 2 (1)(4) of the Criminal Damage Act 1991 whereby; "a person who without lawful excuse damages any property belonging to another intending to damage any such property or being reckless as to whether any such property would be damaged shall be guilty of an offence."
The offence occurred at 8 Courtyard Apartments, Summerhill, Waterford, on April 8, 2022.
Defending counsel Paul W. Hutchinson informed the Court that there were "significant underlying issues" surrounding his client and requested the preparation of a probation report before sentencing.
Judge O'Kelly granted the preparation of the report.
The case will be heard again on March 12 when McMahon will appear via video link.
