Ironside accused Nathan John Ralph again refused bail, as co-accused Damien John Fraser admits role in firebomb attack

An Operation Ironside accused has unsuccessfully sought release on bail for a third time, while a co-accused has admitted guilt in a firebomb attack.

An Operation Ironside accused has been refused release on bail for a third time, while one of his co-accused has pleaded guilty over a firebomb attack on a southern suburbs real estate office.

Nathan John Ralph, 26, of Sheidow Park, appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday seeking release on bail, after twice being refused.

Ironside accused Nathan John Ralph.

Ralph is yet to enter pleas to trafficking a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug over a bust at Fulham Gardens in March this year and a separate charge of aiding and abetting an arson attack on a Marion real estate officein January this year.

The court has previously heard allegations that Ralph had “instituted” a firebomb attack on the Sturt Rd real estate offices because he had a “personal grievance” with someone at the agency.

Stacey Carter, for Ralph, told the court her client’s circumstances had changed, prompting his latest bail application.

Ms Carter said that development involved Ralph’s father, who was “dying horrifically, very slowly, with end stage renal disease”.

She said a new letter from the doctor treating her client’s father indicated Ralph was “essential” to his “extremely emotionally needy” father’s care.

But prosecutors said the letter did not amount to a change in circumstances for Ralph and that technology could be arranged to provide checks on his father.

Magistrate John Wells refused bail “with some hesitation” for reasons including the gravity of the allegations, risk of reoffending and interfering with the ongoing investigation.

One of Ralph’s co-accused, Damien John Fraser, 47, of Plympton, on Thursday pleaded guilty to his role in aiding and abetting another man to torch the real estate offices, which police allege were “extensively damaged”.

During his first appearance in court, on June 30, the court heard the “whole case” against Fraser and Ralph involved messages uncovered via the AN0M app, which was being secretly monitored by law enforcement agencies.

A third man was charged in the days after the January 17 attack and is alleged to have carried out the arson.

Ralph and Fraser return to court in September.