A week spent in prison has been a “sobering experience” for a man with addiction issues, his solicitor pleaded, when he appeared again before Galway District Court on theft charges.
Cathy McDarby solr (defending ) told Judge Adrian Harris that her client had received a one-month prison sentence recently and he didn’t want to go back.
The Court heard that Jamie Clancy is being supported by the Simon Community, and was working to change his life. He wanted to get a job but hadn’t been in employment since 2012. He’d become disabled and this led to alcohol addiction.
He is now 34 and had undergone treatment for his issues, the defence pleaded. Ms McDarby added: “He’s working to change his life with the help of the Simon Community.”
Clancy was charged with taking three bottles of wine, valued at €28, from Aldi, a bottle of vodka valued at €24 in a separate incident, and having cannabis valued at €50 in his possession.
He had 22 previous convictions. Of these, five convictions were for theft but he had no previous drug convictions, the Judge was told. His last conviction for a public order offence resulted in him receiving the one-month prison sentence.
Judge Harris said he noted a supportive letter from the Simon Community handed in and the guilty plea entered. He imposed a one-month prison sentence, suspended on condition the defendant abstain from alcohol and illegal drugs, engage with the Probation services and enter a bond of €500 to keep the peace. A fine of €500 was imposed on the drug charge.
