A 25-year-old man accused in connection with a major wildfire in the Mournes has been committed for trial following a court appearance in Newry.
Brian Hughes, of Rathfriland Road, Hilltown, appeared at Newry Magistrates’ Court on Monday for the purposes of a preliminary enquiry.
Hughes faces charges of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered, making a petrol bomb and possessing a petrol bomb in suspicious circumstances.
The prosecution told the court there was a prima facie case to answer, a position accepted by District Judge Eamon King. No contrary submissions were made by the defence.
Judge King subsequently committed Hughes for trial at the Crown Court, where he is due to appear for arraignment on February 17.
The defendant was released on his own bail of £500.
As previously reported, the charges relate to a large-scale wildfire which broke out on Saturday, April 5, 2025 in the Bloody Bridge and Sandbank Road areas near Newcastle. The blaze was later declared a major incident as it spread rapidly across the Mournes.
At its height, more than 100 firefighters and 15 appliances battled the fire, which stretched for approximately two miles and came dangerously close to homes and forestry. A number of residents were evacuated as crews worked through the night in difficult conditions, with strong winds hampering firefighting efforts.
Chief Fire Officer Aidan Jennings previously described the incident as a “deliberate” and “reckless” act that placed lives, wildlife and property at serious risk.
The fire also led to the closure of nearby tourist sites, including Silent Valley Mountain Park, with NI Water warning of the devastating impact wildfires can have on drinking water catchment areas.
