‘Someone will die here’ - Clare mother urges judge to jail her drug-addicted son

A Clare mother has urged a judge to jail her drug-addicted son or “someone is going to die”.

Jordan Whelan, aged 29, who has an address at Dún Na Hinse, Lahinch Road, Ennis, appeared before Ennis District Court charged with two public order offences under Section 4 and Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994.

Garda Sergeant John Burke told the court that the incident in question took place in Ennis on October 24, 2025.

At approximately 8pm, Mr Whelan was found intoxicated at Cnoc Na Scoile. He was unsteady on his feet and slurring his words.

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When approached by gardaí, he became abusive and aggressive. He was subsequently arrested for his own safety.

After these events were described in court, Mr Whelan’s mother, Tina Whelan, stood up in the public gallery of the courtroom and pleaded with the judge to jail her son for “as long as possible”.

Solicitor Daragh Hassett, representing the accused, said the mother’s plea came from a good place. Mr Hassett said his client is struggling with addiction and had “fallen off the wagon” in recent times.

Sgt Burke told the court that Mr Whelan has 16 previous convictions, seven of which relate to public order offences.

Mr Hassett pointed out that the accused did not commit any offences for a lengthy period between 2018 and 2021.

Judge Alec Gabbett highlighted that Section 4 and 6 public order offences are common among people suffering from alcoholism.

He added that Mr Whelan was “fine when he was working and had the head down”. Mr Hassett agreed, stating that his client “just needed to stay away from drink”.

After formally convicting the accused, Judge Gabbett sentenced him to three months in prison, suspended for 24 months.

Following the sentencing, Mr Whelan’s mother once again stood up in court and addressed the judge.

She said that her son was “very much loved” but his addiction is so severe that she is afraid she is “going to find him dead”.

She once again pleaded with Judge Gabbett to send him into custody for his own safety.

However, Judge Gabbett responded by saying that it would be “illegal and unconstitutional” if he granted the request.

He said that prisons are not for rehabilitation and he suggested that Mr Whelan visit a rehabilitation centre.

The mother responded by arguing that such centres are full and there are no other options. She also expressed fears that she herself might end up in prison.

Ms Whelan added that she has been told she was “going to be raped and murdered” by criminal elements connected to her son's drug use.

She described the windows of her house being broken into and warned that “someone will die here”.

At the end of the exchange, Judge Gabbett suggested she seek a barring order against her son if she fears for her safety.