Probation Act for Kildare court defendant with self-professed alcohol addiction
THEFT MATTERS
A young male defendant who appeared in Naas District Court had the Probation Act applied to his case by Judge Desmond Zaidan on Thursday, June 6 last.
The man, who is currently in custody on other matters, pleaded guilty to a theft he committed in County Kildare.
Judge Zaidan was told that the Director of Public Prosecutions indicated for the matter to be dealt with via summary disposal.
Gardaí told the judge that the man stole a number of cans of gin, in addition to a bottle of vodka, from a shop in Kildare.
When he was searched by gardaí, he was also found in possession of pliers, in order to remove any security tags which may have been on the drinks.
The judge accepted jurisdiction over the man's case.
The man told the judge that he had previously went into rehab for a number of weeks, but he ended up relapsing into his alcohol addiction, hence why he stole the drinks.
"I never really tried to get help until now," he said.
The man added that he is due to become a first-time father soon.
It was also heard that the man grew up in State care.
Judge Zaidan asked the man what happened to him when he turned 18, and in response, the man said: "They (the State) just put me in hostels."
"I just don't understand it," the judge remarked.
He then asked the man what age he was when he first started drinking, to which the man replied: "Probably about 13... or maybe 12 actually, I'd say."
Garda Sergeant Mary Meade told Judge Zaidan that there was no violence used by the man during the course of the incident.
The judge said that he would apply the Probation Act on the man's case.
"I think I'm getting softer in my old age!" the judge jokingly said.
The man thanked Judge Zaidan for his verdict, and also jokingly added: "I never see you again, hopefully!"
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact Samaritans Ireland (116123 or [email protected]) or you can visit pieta.ie (24/7 Free Crisis Helpline: 1800 247 247 or Text HELP to 51444).
For further information related to seeking treatment for drug and alcohol abuse, please contact the HSE's confidential drugs and alcohol freephone helpline on 1800 459 459, from Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 5.30pm, or email [email protected].
You can also visit: https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/5/addiction/drugshivhelpline/.