Prison warning for burglar refusing to engage in rehab

A 22-year-old who stabbed a homeowner after he was caught hiding in the bedroom of his terrified daughter will be sent to prison if he doesn't engage in rehabilitation.

Fionn Ponsonby has been given a 'last chance' to show Letterkenny Circuit Court that he is willing to attend appointments with the Probation Services and addiction treatment.

Judge John Aylmer warned Ponsonby, of Ros Suilighe, Oldtown, Letterkenny, that he faces spending three years behind bars if sufficient steps haven't been taken by the May sitting of the court.

Ponsonby, who is before the court on a charge of aggravated burglary, left residential treatment at White Oaks after four days and has not shown up to 'a number' of appointments.

“He seems to have an inability to attend for appointments,” Mr Nolan said.

“He hasn't availed of the chance the court gave him. He doesn't seem to understand the necessity of dealing with this in a certain way.

“He doesn't understand what he has to do to rescue his future.”

Mr Nolan told the court that he asked Ponsonby for a reason for his non-attendance and received an answer he described as 'entirely inadequate'.

Ponsonby pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary at the home of Joe and Sandra McMonagle at Cullion, Letterkenny on November 17, 2018.

the 22-year-old was caught when the family’s pet dog began barking.

Mr McMonagle went to investigate and found the window of his daughter’s bedroom open and a man crouching down behind her bed.

Mr McMonagle wrestled with the burglar after Ponsonby had produced a penknife and tried to 'stick' Mr McMonagle in the arm.

He began to shout at the accused 'drop the knife, drop the knife' as he tried to restrain the burglar before eventually pinning him down and holding him until Gardai arrived.

Sandra McMonagle, his daughter, was described as 'absolutely terrified' as the incident unfolded.

Items were subsequently discovered outside the window including a torch, a Samsung phone, a Nintendo, and assorted jewellery.

Empty cans of Tennents and Carlsberg and a nearly empty bottle of wine were also located.

Ponsonby was arrested, taken to Letterkenny Garda station and initially claimed he had entered the wrong house and fell asleep thinking it was his.

Garda Genivieve Sherlock gave evidence of arresting Ponsonby whom the court was told had been homeless and was taking drink and drugs.

Ponsonby was accompanied to court by his grandmother who Mr Nolan said was attempting to assist.

Mr Nolan said his client had a further appointment in two weeks' time and asked the court to give Ponsonby 'one more chance'.

The accused had been beaten up while living on the streets and had been badly assaulted with an iron bar. Ponsonby, who has no previous convictions, was previously robbed at knifepoint and suffers from PTSD, Mr Nolan said.

Mr Nolan suggested that he would put his client in the witness box to give an undertaking to attend, but Judge Aylmer said: “You needn't call him as I would take it with a pinch of salt.”

Judge Aylmer said he was granting one more adjournment, but Ponsonby was warned that a four-year sentence, with the final twelve months suspended, would be imposed if progress isn't made with the accused's availing of residential treatment.

“I am surprising myself that I am giving him another chance,” Judge Aylmer remarked.

Mr Nolan added: “He is in the last chance saloon.”