This article is from page 16 of the 2014-10-07 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 16 JPG
A FORMER Irish international snooker player who a Judge said could go all the way to the world championships has been sentenced to six months in prison.
Bernard Casey (25) received the jail term after pleading guilty to theft and public order related offences.
After being told the former Irish youth international snooker player is back playing snooker Judge Patrick Durcan said “he could end up at the Crucible or anywhere”.
But addressing the accused’s solicitor, Judge Durcan said, “However the other side of the coin is that your client engaged in the most serious criminal behaviour.”
At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Mr Casey, with an address at St Joseph’s Park Nenagh, Tipperary, pleaded guilty to handling a stolen Canon camera at Emerald House, Toberteascain, Ennis on June 20, 2014. Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court Mr Casey was arrested after it was discovered he had tendered the stolen camera to a property exchange outlet in Ennis.
Mr Casey also pleaded guilty to engaging in behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace at Station Road, Ennis, on June 21.
Insp Kennedy said gardaí found Mr Casey in an intoxicated state. The court heard he and a group of people were causing a disturbance. Insp. Kennedy said the accused turned his attention on one Garda and called him a “dirty f****** scumbag”.
Mr Casey also pleaded guilty to a public intoxication offence in Shannon town centre on July 31.
Mr Casey has 41 previous convictions including for public order and theft offences. Defence solicitor Tara Godfrey said her client is a father of two who left school at the age of 16.
She said Mr Casey has suffered from serious drink and depression problems for most of his life. She told the court Mr Casey said he bought the stolen camera for € 30 from a man in a homeless hostel.
Ms. Godfrey said her client is “very apologetic”. She said Mr. Casey iscurrently clean and sober and doing his best to avoid the triggers that lead to criminal behaviour.
Ms. Godfrey told the court her client represented Ireland in snooker and is back playing the game.
Mr. Casey told the court he has not drank alcohol in f ve weeks. Ad dressing the Judge, he said;
“If you give me an auld chance today, I promise to God you won’t see me in this court again or around Ennis again”.
Judge Durcan said this was a diff cult case. He said the court, on the one hand, had to consider the diff culties Mr Casey has experienced. He noted the accused also has a young family.
“However the other side of this coin is that your client engaged in the most serious criminal behaviour”.
Judge Durcan said there would be no market for stolen goods if people were not willing to handle stolen goods. “Those who handle commit a far more serious offence than those who steal”, he added.
“Someone who engages in the handling of stolen property, in my view, engages in the most terrible criminal behaviour”, the Judge said.
Judge Durcan imposed sentences totalling six months and f ned Mr Casey € 200. Addressing. Ms. Godfrey, Judge Durcan said, “I do hope when your client comes out again he will have found his time in prison benef cial”. In the event of an ap peal, recognizances were f xed at Mr Casey’s own bond of € 250 and an independent surety to be approved by the court of € 500.