This article is from page 10 of the 2011-04-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
AN Ennis man charged with punching his friend has been told by a judge that he must enter a treatment programme for drug and alcohol abuse.
Cathal McNamara (19) with an address at Old Military Barracks, Kilrush Road, Ennis, appeared be- fore Ennis District Court on Friday, accused of striking another man at Lifford Road on February 20.
Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that gardaí arrested the accused, who was found to be intoxicated, at the scene. The court heard that the man is currently serving a prison sentence imposed at Ennis District Court last month.
Solicitor for the accused, Tara Godfrey, told the court that her client had been involved in a physical altercation with a friend. She said the two men are still friends.
Ms Godrey said her client had tried to turn his life around. She said Clare Youth Service and Slainte drugs and alcohol counselling service had written letters to the court on her client’s behalf.
“He had made progress but has slipped off the wagon,” she added.
Ms Godfrey asked Judge Joseph Mangan not to extend the period of detention. She said that her client is able to avail of treatment services in Limerick prison and is “drying out”.
“Any period beyond that would be counter-productive,” she added.
Judge Joseph Mangan remanded the man on custody until his release date of June 3. He added that he wanted to see if the man has commenced a full treatment programme of drug and alcohol abuse.
Judge Mangan added that it would be “a shame” if the man wasn’t on good behaviour for the rest of his sentence.