Kildare court: Man is ‘a victim of the drugs trade’
COMMENTS
A Garda Sergeant described a man with 111 previous convictions as 'a victim of the drugs trade.'
Sgt Brian Jacob made the comments in relation to a defendant who appeared before Naas District Court on Thursday, September 28 last.
James Mooney, with an address listed as Avondale in Leixlip, but who is currently serving a custodial sentence, appeared before Judge Desmond Zaidan via video-link.
The court was told that on the afternoon of March 10, 2022, the 36-year-old went into a County Kildare pharmacy and stole €700 worth of goods, which were all recovered.
It was then heard that on April 26, 2022, Mr Mooney went into a SuperValu store in Kildare and made off with €687 worth of whiskey bottles without paying.
These items were not recovered.
Lastly, it was heard that on February 12 last, he went into a Kildare pharmacy and stole €782 worth of goods.
Gardaí said that of his 111 previous convictions, 55 are for theft, 10 are for handling stolen property, four are for robbery and two are for burglary.
In response, Judge Zaidan said to Mr Mooney: "That is an appalling record... why, James?"
Mr Mooney replied that he has been addicted to drugs since he was 29 years of age, following a death in his family.
The court was also told that he is due for release in three weeks.
Defending solicitor Tim Kennelly said that his client wants to put his past behind him, and to instead focus on raising his young child.
"He doesn’t want to be a father who’s in and out of his child’s life," Mr Kennelly added.
Mr Kennelly also said that his client plans to work as a plasterer with a relative of his once he is released from prison.
"He obviously isn’t good at it (committing crimes) because he keeps on getting caught," Mr Kennelly further remarked.
Sgt Jacob also told the judge that when he spoke to Mr Mooney when he was sober, he appeared to be 'a nice man' who is 'a victim of the drug trade.'
In response, Judge Zaidan said that while Mr Mooney's circumstances are 'sad', also he said that 'he has a duty to protect the public from his behaviour.'
"This has custody written all over it," he added.
The judge decided to impose nine-month custodial sentence on Mr Mooney: three months for each offence.
However, he also said that he would set bail low for Mr Mooney, in the event that he intends to appeal his sentence.
The judge also backdated the sentence to July 31 last, which is when Mr Mooney first went into custody.
Mr Mooney thanked the judge for his verdict.