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20 Oct 2025
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20 Oct 2025
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Derry Magistrates' Court
A man has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrates' Court after his bail application was adjourned.
Declan McDermott (50) of Gortnessy Meadows in Lettershandoney outside Derry was charged with arson endangering life after setting fire to his flat and assault.
McDermott was arrested after police were called by the manager of the shop below his flat.
Police were told that McDermott had started a fire by putting cardboard on the hob of his cooker that went on fire. The cardboard was subsequently taken off by another resident.
McDermott was then seen on CCTV to be leaving the building with a bag of rubbish that he placed by the fire exit. After McDermott had left the bag caught fire.
The manager of the show below also said that she went to McDermott's flat to give him a barring order from the shop and McDermott allegedly threw something at her, although he claimed he didn't mean to hit her.
Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that police 'clearly have concerns' about granting bail but added that McDermott had no record and had significant mental health issues that needed to be explored.
District Judge Barney McElhom adjourned the application and remanded him in custody pending a medical assessment due to concerns about the safety of himself and those around him.
He will appear again on February 13.
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