Northern Ireland

Man to stand trial over setting fire to Stella Maris Hostel in Belfast

A stained glass window in the Stella Maris Hostel which was painted by now deceased former hostel user Bobby Harvey 
A stained glass window in the Stella Maris Hostel which was painted by now deceased former hostel user Bobby Harvey  A stained glass window in the Stella Maris Hostel which was painted by now deceased former hostel user Bobby Harvey 

A BELFAST man is to stand trial accused of setting fire to a hostel for the homeless.

Thomas Mark Paul McConville (36), of Carrigart Avenue appeared at Belfast Crown Court today to be arrainged on charges connected to the fire.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of arson causing fire damage to the interior of the Stella Maris Hostel in Belfast's Garmoyle Street on February 17 this year.

McConville pleaded not guilty to a charge of arson endangering life or property with intent on the same date.

Prosecution counsel Mark Farrell told Belfast Recorder Judge David McFarland that the guilty plea to arson "is not accepted by the Crown and we propose that a trial be fixed''.

The trial was fixed for October 4 and it is expected to last up to three days.

Judge McFarland released McConville on his own bail ahead of his trial. The case will be reviewed next week.