Woman gets three year jail sentence for Banbridge arson

DAMAGE of over £10,000 was caused in a fire at an apartment block in Banbridge in April of last year.

Following the incident, a 41 year old mother of four was charged with arson at the apartment block in Brookfield Meadows.

Before Newry Crown Court on Friday, Fiona Quail, from Brookfield Meadows, received a three year prison term for the offence.

One year is to be spent in custody while the other two will be on licence.

Judge Ramsey also imposed two restraining orders on the defendant for two years in respect of two residents.

The court heard details of how Quail had set fire to a mattress in the building on April 23, 2023.

One person had to be rescued from their apartment along with the defendant who had barricaded herself in.

Quail, who is originally from County Clare, was treated in hospital for smoke inhalation and a burn to her hand following the blaze.

The defendant told Probation that she hated what she had done.