A young apprentice needs to address his alcohol issues alongside the treatment he is undergoing for cocaine and cannabis abuse, a judge warned him when he came before Galway District Court.
Oisín Quinlan, 2 Lenaboy Avenue, Salthill was charged in relation to an incident at the Electric nightclub where he caused €200 worth of damage. The incident occurred at 2am on November 22.
Prosecuting Garda Sgt Damien Prendergast told Judge Liz Healy that the defendant had two previous convictions for burglary and criminal damage.
John Martin solicitor (defending ) said that his client was 21 and had €200 in court to offer as compensation for the damage he caused.
He pleaded that his client had a problem with cocaine and cannabis but was sorting himself out. He was an apprentice electrician and doing quite well now.
On the night in question he had too much to drink and blacked out. He was receiving treatment for his drug issues.
Judge Liz Healy said that treatment for cocaine required significant after-care and enquired if Quinlan ha an issue with alcohol. Mr Martin assured her he did not.
She said she was not convinced as he had blacked out on the night in question. Passing sentence, she added that she couldn’t ignore the fact that he had previous convictions and imposed a conviction and a fine of €500. She told the defendant that he needed to address his alcohol abuse.
