Some charges withdrawn after dogs die in house fire

A man who had been charged with arson and criminal damage after three dogs died in a house fire in Londonderry has had those specific charges withdrawn but will still face other charges over the alleged incident.

Conor Lishman, 37, of Brookdale Court in Derry, appeared at Londonderry Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

He had faced charges including arson with intent to endanger life, trespassing, burglary, assault on police, and criminal damage relating to the deaths of the dogs, on 16 June last year.

A prosecutor told the court that the holding charges of arson and criminal damage to the dogs at a house in Rosemount were being withdrawn and that the case would proceed on the other charges.

It was accepted on Wednesday that there was a case to answer and there were no contrary submissions.

Mr Lishman said he did not wish to call any witnesses or make any statement at this stage.

He was returned for trial to Londonderry Crown Court on a date to be fixed and released on bail.