Forensic results awaited in case of man who allegedly set fire to waste removal tanker and two other vehicles

Olivia Kelleher

Forensic results are awaited in the case of a man charged with causing more than €100,000 worth of damage after he allegedly set fire to a Swissport Airline waste removal tanker and two other vehicles at Cork Airport Business Park in June.

Mateusz Stula of Orchard Road in Blackpool in Cork city has appeared at Cork District Court charged with three counts of arson.

Sgt John Kelleher said that forensic analysis was ongoing in relation in the incidence of arson at the business park earlier this summer.

A file is being prepared for the DPP.

Defence solicitor Eddie Burke said that his client —who appeared today by video link — consented to a two or four week adjournment of the case.

Judge John King further remanded Mr Stula to appear before Cork District Court via video link on September 3rd next.

Meanwhile, it is alleged that shortly after 1am on June 10th Mr Stula (32) entered the grounds of Cork Airport Business Park and set fire to three vehicles parked there.

The Swissport Airline waste removal tanker was valued at €100,000. A second vehicle was privately owned and had been parked at the business park while the owner was out of the country.

A third vehicle was a privately owned animal transporter truck which had been dropped to the business park for repairs.

Det Sgt Pat Lyons previously objected to the granting of bail in the case citing the seriousness of the charges and the strength of the evidence against the accused. CCTV footage was checked in the aftermath of the incident.

Mr Burke also previously told the court that his client was drinking alcohol whilst on prescribed medication and required inpatient treatment.

He said that Mr Stuka had worked at a premises in the airport business park prior to the incident. Mr Burke said the matter before the court was not a case of Mr Stula going to the airport to carry out this damage.

“For whatever reason, he left his place of work and went to where these vehicles were.”