This article is from page 12 of the 2008-02-26 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
A VULNERABLE drug addict from Killaloe has had to wait five months for an appointment with a residential addiction treatment centre, his solici- tor has claimed.
The revelation came as a garda told a court that residential treatment was “the only hope” for the young man, who has no support at home.
Detective Garda John Mulvihill made the comment in the case of Ger- ard O’Connor (19), of Chapel Street, Killaloe, who appeared in court on a string of burglary charges.
Judge Joseph Mangan read a proba- tion report on the accused and said it was “up and down… more down dereDemel ome
Detective Garda Mulvhill said there were concerns that O’Connor was not obeying his bail conditions.
“As late as last Saturday night, at 12.41am, I observed him on Killaloe bridge. He had a lot of drink taken,” said the garda.
He said that a short time later, at 3.10am, he spotted O’Connor at Main Street, Killaloe.
“I called his name. He took flight,” |aTemncrsnCGe
He said the accused had been as- sisted by the State, the Probation Services and the courts, but that his problems persisted.
‘He was in residential care and walked out. It’s my honest opinion
an outpatient situation won’t work. Inpatient is the only hope. There are no supports at home. It’s not all his own fault,” said the garda.
Defending solicitor Daragh Has- sett said his client had been living in Limerick at one stage and had been in a relationship.
Det Gda Mulvihill replied, “That relationship was good while it lasted. He has had a difficult upbringing.”
“After Christmas he went back on the narcotics again. It is only when things are about to come to court he realises he has to knuckle down,” said the garda.
Mr Hassett said, “It would be in everyone’s interest if he gets the care he needs.”
Gda Mulvihill said, “Prison is not the solution for him. Residential treatment is the only hope.”
The solicitor said, “Whilst he is making the best efforts possible, he is very vulnerable. There is no sup- port at home.”
He pointed out that “at the height of his difficulty, he was breaking into places and robbing. That has stopped but the drug problem hasn’t.”
Det Gda Mulvhill said _ that O’Connor told gardai he was afraid he would get “worse drugs” in jail than he would while out on bail.
Mr Hassett asked for a short ad- journment, to explore the possibil- ity of getting a place in a residential course for his client.
“It took five months to get an ap- pointment with Aislinn (residential addiction treatment centre). That’s just an appointment. That’s not his fault,’ he said.
Judge Mangan said, “I take your point but he can’t absolve himself completely.”
He imposed a two-year detention sentence at St Patrick’s Institutions and fixed a bond in the event of an appeal.