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BLAZE HORROR

Evil son tried to kill mum by locking her in home and setting it on fire – as first photos reveal horror ordeal

The court also heard that the young man’s mother had secured a safety order as he was making threats to kill her in July 2019

• Published: 8:00, 24 Dec 2023
• Updated: 9:41, 24 Dec 2023

THIS is the shocking scene of ­devastation inside a home after a man tried to kill his mother by locking her in their property and setting it on fire.

Another image shows arsonist Camden Konopka, 23, in handcuffs when he appeared at Trim District Court charged with the attempted murder of his mum Fiona.

The photo of the blaze aftermath at Coille Dios, Athboy, Co Meath, was taken in 2020 after the Director of Public ­Prosecutions ruled there was enough evidence to charge him.

The investigation was run by Det Sgt Mark Looby from Kells Garda station.

Four years on from when Konopka was first charged, he appeared before the Central Criminal Court last Monday to plead guilty to the attempted murder of his mother.

He also admitted causing criminal damage with the intention of endangering life on the same date, September 19, 2019.

And the court heard how he was “hearing voices” and “suffered under the delusion he was God”.

On the day of the fire, Konopka tried to get into his mother’s bedroom and was demanding drugs.

When she refused to let him in, he locked the doors, took the keys and fled as the fire took hold.

Neighbours came to her rescue.

Following the incident, the mother of one contacted Gardai and told them her son had started the fire.

When he was arrested, the defendant said: “I don’t remember much. I know I ran out of the house, I felt I was being chased.