This article is from page 17 of the 2012-10-30 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 17 JPG
AN IRAQ war veteran from Clarecastle who admitted forging a doctor’s prescription has escaped a prison sentence.
Ross Culligan (25) was told by Judge Patrick Durcan that he was getting ‘the chance he deserves’ at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.
Mr Culligan, with an address at 41 Church Drive, Clarecastle, pleaded guilty to forging a prescription contrary to the misuse of drugs act on dates unknown between February 14 and February 22 (2012) at 41 Church Drive, Clarecastle.
He pleaded guilty to using the forged prescription at Mary Jo Duffy’s Pharmacy, Tesco, Ennis on February 22.
Mr Culligan also pleaded guilty to an offence under the firearms act at Ennis Garda Station on February 23.
The court previously heard that after being brought to Ennis Garda Station, Mr Culligan was found in possession of a .22 calibre bullet. The State accepted that Mr Culligan did not have the bullet for any sinister reason.
The case had been adjourned for the preparation of a report from the Probation and Welfare Services af- ter Judge Patrick Durcan said that he was considering a five-month prison sentence.
Mr Culligan served in the Irish Guards regiment of the British Army.
The court heard he was discharged for medical reasons. Judge Durcan noted that Mr Culligan had previously committed a similar offence and was on probation when he committed the current offence.
He said that Mr Culligan had experienced a lot of difficulties in the past.
Judge Durcan said as a result of his military service overseas, “he (Mr Culligan) saw and was probably involved in terrible things that will be with him for the rest of his life.”
He told the court that he was very impressed by what defence solicitor Shiofra Hassett had said on her client’s behalf.
Judge Durcan remanded Mr Culligan on continuing bail to July 17 (2013), with liberty to the State to reenter at 24 hours notice.
He also requested an up to date report from the Probation services. He added, “I will give you the chance you deserve.”
Judge Durcan said, “Best of luck to you Mr Culligan, you’ll have good days and bad days.”