This article is from page 14 of the 2012-09-18 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
A DISTRICT court judge ordered the governor of Limerick Prison to appear before him to explain why a West Clare prisoner was not receiving treatment for drug addiction while serving his sentence.
Michael Sweeney, 15 Wood Road, Kilrush, was charged prior to Tuesday’s hearing of Kilrush District Court with stealing a mountain bike in April. The defendant, who is currently serving a three-year sentence, with 18 months suspended, for han- dling stolen goods, pleaded guilty to the charge.
In evidence to the court, Detective Garda Downes said that a red and white 24-gear mountain bike worth € 1,100 was stolen from a shed in Kilrush on April 13.
On April 17, gardaí repossessed the bike from a man who told them he purchased it from Mr Sweeney.
Mr Sweeney admitted to gardaí that he had the bike.
The court heard that the 24-yearold accused had a drug problem and it was the drugs that led him to theft.
“There is no treatment for drugs in prison but he will get it when he gets out,” his solicitor said.
When questioned by Judge Patrick Durkin, the prison officer accompanying Mr Sweeney said there was treatment available in Limerick Prison but Mr Sweeney was not receiving any. He did not know why.
The judge refused a report on the matter from the probation service.
“This country is struggling and gasping for breath because of reports and meetings,” he said.
He requested that the governor of Limerick Prison or a representative attend Ennis District Court the following day to explain why Mr Sweeney was not receiving treatment. “It is a complete travesty,” said Judge Durkin. “Once the matter is explained we can sentence.”
Assistant Governor Mark Kennedy appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday. Mr Kenendy told the court that Mr Sweeney had been seen by a medical team on his arrival at the prison. He said that on a scale of 1 to 12, Mr Sweeney had scored 3 for the amount of opiate in his body.
He said this was “very low”, similar to the amount of codeine found in a Nurofen tablet. Mr Kennedy said, “He wasn’t a chronic user of it (heroin).” He said Mr Sweeney would be receiving treatment for his addiction from Merchant’s Quay this week.
Defence solicitor Fiona Hehir said her client does need help at this stage of his life. Judge Durcan imposed a three-month prison sentence to run concurrent to his current sentence.
Judge Durcan wished Mr Sweeney the best of luck in fighting his addiction.