Woman granted bail over shopping centre fire, banned from visiting Darwin, Palmerston areas

THE woman accused of starting a fire at the Palmerston Shopping Centre this week has been granted bail and banned from visiting Darwin or Palmerston

THE woman accused of starting a fire at the Palmerston Shopping Centre earlier this week has been granted bail.

Josephine Deegan, 18, appeared at Darwin Local Court via video link from the Darwin Correctional Centre on Friday.

She has been charged with property damage and arson.

She was granted bail with six conditions to follow – including not coming to Darwin or Palmerston.

The woman accused of starting a fire at the Palmerston Shopping Centre earlier this week has been granted bail. Picture: Supplied

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Judge Michael Carey granted Deegan bail on Friday and said she would have to go straight out to the ranger station at Alligator River, where she worked.

Her defence lawyer Tom Clelland said Corrections would take her to the ranger station.

Prosecutor Beth Marsh said police had seized Deegan’s phone and were working to determine who she was on the phone with at the time of the alleged incident.

“She’s captured on CCTV speaking with someone on the phone while she’s in the area,” Ms Marsh said.

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Police arrested Deegan after firefighters were called to the fire at the Palmerston Shopping Centre at about 3am on Wednesday morning and urged anyone with video footage from the incident to come forward.

Her case will next be in court on February 10, with Judge Carey deeming her presence not necessary if she has representation.

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