This article is from page 18 of the 2007-06-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 18 JPG
A JUDGE has expressed the view that the State has failed a young man who requires treatment for drug ad- diction, but has not received it.
Gerard O’Connor (18), of Chapel Street, Killaloe, has pleaded guilty to more than 20 charges, including burglary and criminal damage of various business premises in Kil- laloe between September 2006 and February 2007.
When he appeared in court last month, he was refused bail amid fears from a judge he would re-offend. Defending solicitor Daragh Hassett
said his client had been in custody in Limerick prison for a fortnight.
‘He is prepared to stay in Limerick prison and hopefully take up a place in in-house residential in autumn,” he said. “He 1s agreeing to comply with the Probation report and stay in cus- tody. It is hoped he will get a place NOW aWAONODOM EN aUllcAUNc mmr My oLeeaFDURIMUUODL for young people. He is prepared to stay in custody on the basis he will get the help,” he said.
Judge Joseph Mangan said he would no longer penalise the young ner-VO MAUD MN Elo) m
“It is unsatisfactory this treatment is not available. I’m not willing to
penalise him further. We will see on the 20th of July,” said the judge.
Inspector Michael Gallagher said, “We all agree he needs treatment.”
The judge replied, “It appears to me the State is failing him.”
Mr Hassett said, “He has been promised assessment in Il weeks time and he has decided to stay where he is. That’s assessment, not treatment. It isn’t good enough in this day and age.”
The judge remanded him to appear bOmecel vou mm pOmULEUR YA