Greg McGannon revealed as man accused of lighting bushfire at Clarendon near Cherry Gardens

“I don’t want anyone to see me,” a man accused of lighting a bushfire at Clarendon on the day of the Cherry Gardens fire has told a court. The magistrate disagreed.

The 61-year-old Hallett Cove man accused of lighting a bushfire at Clarendon can now be revealed as Greg McGannon.

On Monday, Magistrate Susan O’Connor lifted a suppression order on McGannon’s identity, which had previously been requested by police while they investigated the fire.

McGannon, a former CFS volunteer, is charged with allegedly lighting a bushfire just kilometres away from the burning Cherry Gardens fire.

Alleged Clarendon arsonist Greg McGannon. Picture: Facebook

About two hours before McGannon’s arrest, six smaller fires had ignited and merged to form the giant Cherry Gardens bushfire, which destroyed 2700ha as well as two homes and dozens of buildings. McGannon has not been charged over those fires.

It was contained only after a heavy downpour doused the fire ground.

McGannon – who was unrepresented in court – on Monday requested the suppression order remain in place.

“I just want it quiet, I don’t want anyone to see me,” he said.

Ms O’Connor said McGannon’s desire for anonymity was not enough to keep the suppression order in place.

The Christies Beach Magistrates Court heard last month police were continuing analysis of the man’s phone, vehicle and footwear to establish connections, if any, to other fires in the area.

“Police are still tracking his movements prior to the fire, police are investigating cause of seven other ignition points that started fires that day in the area of Cherry Gardens, Dorset Vale, Bradbury and Kangarilla in the time leading up to the arrest of the accused,” Sergeant Dollard said in February.

“Police are analysing cell tower data which at this time puts him in the vicinity of those fires.”

Sergeant Dollard said police had spotted McGannon and his white car on Piggott Range Road, Clarendon around 6pm on the day of the Cherry Gardens bushfire.

Greg McGannon is charged with allegedly lighting a bushfire just kilometres away from the burning Cherry Gardens fire. Picture: Facebook

The court heard McGannon drove off at high speed and overtook numerous cars on Piggott Range and Cox Hill Roads before eventually stopping.

“He initially told police that he saw someone lighting a fire,” Sergeant Dollard said.

“He made some comment about the bastard who lit it, ‘the bloody idiot’ and motioned that he tried to stomp the fire out.

“(Police) found a cigarette lighter in (the accused’s) pocket.”

He was later breath-tested and recorded a blood-alcohol level of 0.149.

McGannon remains in custody on remand.