Two Wexford men who set fire to a speed van while the operator was inside have each been given a seven-year suspended sentence.
Martin Gowan, 20, of Hollyfort, Gorey, and Darragh Byrne, 20, of Kilmurray, Gorey, pleaded guilty to causing damage to the van in March of last year.
Wexford Circuit Court heard the van, which was the property of Road Safety Operations, was operating a speed check outside Gorey at the time.
Operator John McDonald was in the back of the van carrying out the speed operation when he smelt burning.
He managed to escape unharmed through the side.
Passing motorists saw what was happening and phoned gardaí.
The court was told Gowan had a difficult upbringing, as both his parents had died when he was young.
It heard that he did a significant amount of voluntary work on the primary school in his area during the summer.
He also undertook work two to three days per week with a funeral undertaker in Gorey on a voluntary basis.
The court was told that Byrne had a significant issue with depression, but that he was unlikely to re-offend.
Since his last appearance in court, he had been involved in community work, raising a significant amount of cash for charity, including €30,000 following a charity rally. He also become involved in voluntary work, the court heard.
Judge Tom Teehan said that when news of this particular act broke it shocked the people of Co Wexford and people further afield.
While he was satisfied there was genuine remorse, that both had apologised and that both were unlikely to re-offend, the judge said he would have to impose a custodial sentence.
He imposed a sentence of seven years in prison, but would suspend the seven years for seven years on condition that both defendants enter a bond of €100 to keep the peace for seven years.
"You can consider yourselves very lucky. Your liberty for seven years is now in your own hands," Judge Teehan told the two men.
