Clare man ‘blighted with alcoholism’ jailed after blaring loud music at mother’s house

A Clare man who has been “blighted with alcoholism” for most of his adult life has been sentenced to six months imprisonment after he admitted breaching a court order.

The 42-year-old man appeared before Ennis District Court after he was charged with breaching the terms of a safety order under Section 33 of the Domestic Violence Act.

Sergeant John Burke said the breach occurred when the man arrived at his mother’s house in Ennis after a night out and began playing music loudly.

Solicitor John Casey told the court that the man regrets what happened and is “doing the best he can do”.

He described his client's offending as a "long running saga" adding that when he and his mother "clash", he reacts badly.

On the day of the court sitting, Judge Alec Gabbett was told the man suffers from alcohol addiction but hadn’t had a drink for several days.

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Mr Casey said his client needs help and that he “needs to go into rehab”, a sentiment which Judge Gabbett agreed with.

The court heard the man has 26 previous convictions, including 10 breaching court orders.

He previously had the final three months of a nine-month prison sentence suspended. Mr Casey asked that a similar approach be taken this time around.

However, Judge Gabbett denied the request, saying that there was “only one way to detox him now”.

He added that the man needed to be kept “safe from himself”, having already tried probation.

The judge asked if drug addiction was also an issue, to which Mr Casey responded that it was just “good old fashion drink”.

Having formally handed out a conviction, Judge Gabbett sentenced the man to six months imprisonment, backdated to October 6.

The matter relating to the previously-suspended prison sentence was adjourned until October 22.