Longford man jailed for criminal damage

Paul Dowler (50), 7 Victory Court, Earl Street, Longford was given the sentence by Judge Bernadette Owens at last week's sitting of Longford District Court arising from an incident at Harneys apartment, Grafton Court, Longford on October 1 last year.

He was also charged with two further public intoxication charges at Great Water Street, Longford and Ballymahon Street within 24 hours of each other on October 4 and 5 last.

Defence solicitor Diarmuid Quinn said his client had been remanded in custody since May 25 after Mr Dowler's bail was revoked at a sitting of Longford Circuit Criminal Court.

He said Mr Dowler's trial for a separate matter was listed to get underway on October 4.

In reading notes taken from the last occasion Mr Dowler appeared in court, Judge Owens spoke of how she had looked for a probation report to be completed, stating however: “Clearly it hasn't been possible to process it.”

Mr Quinn said Mr Dowler, given how his trial was still over three months away, was “happy to proceed” and would be tendering a guilty plea to all charges.

The court was informed Mr Dowler had 17 previous convictions on his record, two for public order and 12 for theft.

In offering up mitigation. Mr Quinn said his client was a man who has toiled under an alcohol dependency.

He added his hope that with a “roof over his head”, Mr Dowler would be in a better position to address those issues.

Judge Owens said Mr Dowler's physical disposition in his appearance via video was heartening, stating the problems encountered by Mr Dowler had “clear;y had a very serious impact on him at a personal level and health level”.

She consequently sentenced Mr Dowler to three months in prison for the criminal damage charge. The accompanying public order charges were taken into consideration.

The date of that prison term was backdated to May 25, the day Mr Dowler first went into custody.