Drug addict’s breach of barring order ‘was a cry for help’, Kildare court told

A young drug addict’s breach of a barring order 'was a cry for help', according to the arresting garda officer.

Although the garda was not present in Naas District Court when the case was heard on Thursday, March 14, Judge Desmond Zaidan told other gardaí present that he remembered the arresting officer's words.

The man in question was the subject of a barring order, which his parents were previously granted in order to protect them from him.

Judge Zaidan was told by defending barrister Mark Gibbons that the man only went into the home and sat down in one of the bedrooms.

Commenting further on the case, the judge said that the arresting officer told him that the young man 'wants to go into a rehab centre and get away from drugs.'

Judge Zaidan added: "However, in order to get a place in a rehab centre, this man has to be sober first, which for a drug addict, is asking for the impossible."

A separate garda present in the court told the judge that the man has 16 previous convictions, five of which were for breaching domestic violence orders.

"I know, but I don't want to send him to jail. I have to take each case on its own merits," the judge replied.

Both of the man's parents were present in the courtroom, and the mother proceeded to tell the judge that their other child is afraid to come back to the family home whenever the man is around.

Upon hearing this, the judge decided to impose a nine-month custodial sentence.

OTHER MATTERS

The man was also charged with committing a hit-and-run offence in County Kildare.

It was heard that he caused over €2,100 worth of damage to another car.

Gardaí added that it was later discovered that he had been driving without a valid driver's licence, insurance and NCT.

For these offences, Judge Zaidan imposed a further five-month custodial sentence on the man, bringing his total sentence to 14 months in custody.

He also disqualified the man from driving for four years, and set appeal at €100.

After delivering his verdict, Judge Zaidan said to the man: "I hope you get help for your addiction... Just remember: your parents love you."

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact Samaritans Ireland (116123 or jo@samaritans.org) 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 helpline@hse.ie.

You can also visit: https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/5/addiction/drugshivhelpline/.