CFS member speaks out but organisation does not participate in SA court hearing of arsonist Gregory John McGannon

The CFS has revealed why it did not speak out in court against the 2021 Adelaide Hills arsonist - but insists it was “engaged” throughout the case.

The CFS says it did not speak out in court against Adelaide Hills arsonist Gregory John McGannon nor give a victim impact statement on behalf of its traumatised volunteers due to “an administrative oversight”.

The organisation’s concession comes after one of its members detailed the devastating human impact of the 2021 blaze, having watched the convicted firebug sigh and smirk his way through another court hearing.

In the District Court on Monday, former volunteer firefighter Gregory John McGannon again appeared inattentive as the loss and trauma suffered by his victims was read aloud.

There was, however, no victim impact statement from the CFS – The Advertiser understands one was not provided despite requests from both prosecutors and SA Police.

On Tuesday, a CFS spokeswoman said that did not indicate a lack of interest in the case.

“(The CFS) has been engaged throughout this investigation however, did not complete a victim impact statement due to administrative oversight,” she said.

“Attending incidents can have a significant personal toll on our volunteers who routinely leave their families, homes, and livelihoods to respond to emergencies to keep their communities safe.”

Outside court, a CFS member who attended the fires and McGannon’s hearing said she could not understand why the organisation had not participated in the case.

Gregory John McGannon during his trial. Picture: Emma Brasier

“In the 30 to 40 people in our brigade, there’s no one who was not touched by these fires,” she said.

“People have had to sell their houses and move away because of the trauma of having fires come right up to their front fences.

“It’s difficult enough when your pager goes off and you go to a fire, but it’s more difficult when you know someone has deliberately lit it.

“That makes a huge difference in the impact that it has on people … I think there are people in our community who will never recover from it.”

McGannon, 63, of Hallett Cove, was found guilty of setting the seven fires that devastated Cherry Gardens, Clarendon and Bradbury while drunk and evading police.

Last week, as his victims described their terror while confronting the “tsunami of flame”, McGannon sighed, fidgeted with papers and shook his head.

A CFS firefighter attends the Cherry Gardens bushfire. Picture: CFS

On Monday, five more victim impact statements were read to the court.

Upon hearing one victim had been diagnosed with depression, McGannon sighed loudly, then smirked upon hearing that person’s pet alpacas had been killed in the blaze.

Another victim, aged 74, said she was “old, sick” and just wanted “to go home and I can’t, there’s no home to go to”.

Her neighbour said McGannon had “obviously wanted to inflict maximum damage and trap us”, calling him “callous” and his crime “a terrorist attack”.

McGannon will face further sentencing submissions in February.

Outside court, the CFS member said she struggled to understand McGannon’s motivation.

“None of us (in the CFS) knew him, our understanding is he hasn’t been a volunteer since 2005,” she said.

“Who does this? Who puts all these people’s lives at risk and yet (continues to) go our and light fires?

“That’s really hard to understand and really hard to take.”

The Advertiser has sought comment from the CFS.