A man who has more than 60 convictions, mainly for being drunk and being a danger to himself around the city, was given bail at the District Court on Monday on condition he remain in an intoxicant-free state.
At a previous hearing the defendant’s solicitor described him as “a nuisance but not a menace”.
The defendant, Philip Kalwile, in the care of the Simon Community, was arrested before the court sitting. He told the arresting Garda, “I was intoxicated and I plead guilty” when two charges of being drunk in public were read to him.
Prosecuting Garda Sgt Damien Prendergast said the Gardaí agreed to bail and a remand until the March 30 sitting of the court, on condition that he remain intoxicant free and sign on daily in a sober condition at Galway Garda station.
Judge Catherine Ryan granted bail on the conditions outlined by Sgt Prendergast on a bond of €300, not cash.
Judge Ryan heard the defendant had more than 60 previous convictions, most for similar offences. At a court sitting in November his solicitor John Martin described his client as a “nuisance but not a menace”.
He said at the time his client was 39 and originally from Malawi. He was 12 years in this country and had been granted the right to reside here. The problem, he explained, was that his client was a chronic alcoholic.
