Eileen Joyce Davey, a 69-year-old woman from Tasmania, received a suspended prison sentence after setting fire to her home of nearly 40 years in October 2024. This ruling was delivered on Tuesday by the Supreme Court in Launceston, following her guilty plea to a charge of arson earlier in the year.
The court was informed that Davey ignited the blaze at her Montana Road residence near Deloraine after being served with a notice to vacate. Justice Robert Pearce remarked on the circumstances leading to the fire, stating, “Before finally leaving, when everyone else had left, you lit the fire.” He noted her feelings of anger, suggesting that she believed if she could no longer reside in the home, then no one else should either.
Davey’s actions stemmed from a familial crisis. She had lived in the house with her husband, Alan Walker, for 38 years. However, following Mr. Walker’s illness in 2023, he moved in with Davey’s daughter-in-law. After his passing in December 2023, she discovered that the property had been bequeathed to this daughter-in-law, which left her feeling deeply betrayed.
Justice Pearce acknowledged the emotional turmoil Davey experienced, stating, “He did not make you a beneficiary of his will.” The court also noted that the fire resulted in substantial damage to the property.
In mitigation, Justice Pearce took into account Davey’s early guilty plea and her background of significant hardship. He highlighted that her limited educational opportunities hindered her ability to effectively address the situation she found herself in, saying, “Your illiteracy and lack of knowledge contributed to that situation.” Furthermore, the court heard that she suffers from multiple chronic health issues and is the primary caregiver for one of her grandchildren.
Ultimately, Justice Pearce decided on a more lenient approach, opting to suspend her two-year prison sentence for a period of 18 months. Additionally, he issued a compensation order for $270,000, though he expressed doubt about the likelihood of Davey being able to pay this amount.
