by Linda Straker
- No one placed bail for Peter Adrian Henry, facing 2 counts of arson
- Placed on EC$100,000 bail with 2 sureties
- Arson caused approximately EC$900,000 in loss and damages
As of 5:15 pm Wednesday, 20 May 2020, no one has presented themselves to the Gouyave Police Station offering to place bail for Peter Adrian Henry – the man charged by police for causing the fire which destroyed the historic Dougaldston Estate boucan in the early hours of Monday, 18 May.
Facing 2 counts of arson by unlawfully setting fire to the boucan and a dwelling house, the 60-year-old Labourer was placed on EC$100,000 bail with 2 sureties, but with no one coming forward to place bail, he will be remanded to the Richmond Hill prison.
Known as “Susie” in the Dougaldston community, he is often seen displaying uncontrollable behaviour after consuming alcohol. He was also an employee at the boucan. Police have not disclosed the possible motive for his action which caused approximately EC$900,000 in loss and damages.
Located in the parish of St John, thousands have visited the boucan as part of historical tours that often also include a visit to the Gouyave Nutmeg processing plant and other historical spots on the western side of the island.
Owned by the Branch family, Dougaldston Estate is a 300-year-old historical plantation which offered a unique ecotourism experience. The estate measures 600 acres and contains 4 buildings, including a great house and the boucan.
Tourism Minister, Clarice Modeste, described the loss of the boucan as a national tragedy.
It is very ironic that our great Dr. Tourism Minister reportedly view this fire a as a national tragedy.
The question is how come our great Dr. Tourism Minister does not view the destruction of our natural environment including fish and wildlife habitat in La Sagesse and other areas on the Island, which she supports under the banner of tourism, as a national tragedy?
The question is how come our great Dr. Tourism Minister does not view the doling out of our communal lands to foreigners for so-called tourism “developments” and good-for-nothing jobs as a national tragedy or crime against Indigenous Grenadians?
The question is how come our great Dr. Tourism Minister does not view, as a national tragedy, the fact that the more hotels we build the more hungry, poor, debt-ridden, and destitute we, Indigenous Grenadians, have become?
I see the Dougaldston boucan fire as tragedy but not of national proportions. The only thready of national proportion I sadly see here is that we have elected a Dr. Tourism Minister who seems to think that her main purpose as a minister is to serve always the interest non-Indigenous Grenadians first and pander and frolic to the whims and fancy of non-Indigenous Grenadians in preference to that of Indigenous Grenadians. This is truly one of the greatest national tragedies that we, Indigenous Grenadians, have to face on a daily basis.
Amen, you seeing it just like some of us “non-indigenous Grenadians” see and feel the destruction of this beautiful island.
Hi john sorry to here that man that was a lovely house I sleep and wake there. That’s. Crazy not even the House is History the whole property is that said I used to to work with you guys in the house. over tbe cemetery .take it easy Tobey
So sad to hear that ! My grandfather was Joseph Branch from Gouyave.
I don’t know if he was related to the Branch in the Douglaston area.
This is what alcohol can cause them to do. They need to put away that alcohol in order to act civilized .
Just can’t accept that this took place, l strongly felt pain in my heart. Born on this estate and spent 16 glorious years growing up there. We were a tight knit community back then. Sincere expression of sorry to the Branch family.