Posted by Sep 23, 2025 16:00
Mr Bouadjela was standing on the roof of one of the centre’s buildings covered in petrol and he had a lighter.
An asylum seeker has pleaded guilty over covering himself in petrol and threatening to kill or cause serious harm to a woman in Monaghan.
The incident occurred at an international protection accommodation centre in Monaghan Town in March where the threat was made towards an employee of the facility.
45-year-old Algerian national Mehdi Bouadjela with addresses at St Patrick’s Accommodation Centre, Drumgoask, Monaghan and Atlantic Lodge, Kenmare, Co Kerry appeared in court over these charges. Court presenter, Sgt Lisa McEntee told how gardaí were called over reports a man had poured petrol over himself and threatened to set himself alight.
She said when gardaí arrived, they found Mr Bouadjela standing on the roof of one of the centre’s buildings covered in petrol and he had a lighter.
The court heard how officers noticed a large container of petrol at the scene and gardaí then called in a hostage negotiator. It was an incident that led Mr Bouadjela to be charged with threatening to damage property in a way that was “likely to endanger” the lives of residents and staff and he was also charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm to one individual.
Defence solicitor, Roísín Courtney said her client had not come to the attention of Gardaí prior to the incident and was someone who had mental health issues.
Judge Raymond Finnegan told the court this is how he repays the hospitality he has been shown by the country. He handed down a five month sentence for the threat to kill or cause serious harm charge, suspending its duration for a period of two years.
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