Man with over 200 previous convictions runs out of chances

A MAN with over 200 previous convictions ran out of chances at the District Court last week as Judge Haughton rejected his solicitor’s pleas for a Probation Report.

Martin Cash (37) of 81 Raithin Cuilinn, Hollyfort Road, Gorey, was charged with entering Wilmslow, The Avenue, Gorey, on August 31 of this year with intent to commit criminal damage and with possession of three screwdrivers, a crowbar and a flashlight for use during the course of a burglary.

He was also charged with engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour at Wexford General Hospital on June 2 last.

Solicitor David Tarrant conceded that his client has a ‘horrific’ record before the courts and pointed out that he had been in custody since August 21. Mr Tarrant said that Cash seemed to follow a constant cycle of receiving short term prison sentences, getting out, behaving himself for a time and then coming back to the attention of gardaí once again. He said that his client has now expressed a desire to change his ways and co-operate fully with the Probation Service and he asked Judge Haughton to order a Probation Report and allow his client bail.

‘That’s fine, but when he’s in custody, he can’t commit any further offences,’ Judge Haughton said.

The Judge also pointed out that, despite pleading guilty to possessing the articles on the day in question, Cash had stated that he did not know that the crowbar, screwdrivers and flashlight were in his rucksack.

‘He’ ll say anything to ease the situation,’ Judge Haughton said. ‘He has some 200 previous convictions and now he comes to me asking for leniency?’

Mr Tarrant said that his client had been doing well since entering custody and was now on methadone. On behalf of Cash, he asked for the opportunity to see how he would engage with the Probation Service. ‘I’d like to see if we can stop this spiralling,’ Mr Tarrant said.

‘We can,’ the Judge replied. ‘We can put in him jail every time it happens. He has been involved with the Probation Service for eight years now and he’s now lying to them by telling them that he didn’t know about the articles in his rucksack, despite pleading guilty to the offence. There’s no point in referring him to the Probation Service if he’s denying the very basis for his referral to them. I don’t see the point in prolonging this any further.’

Judge Haughton then handed Cash an eight month prison sentence on both charges dated August 31, back dated to when he entered custody, and the public order charge was taken into consideration.