YOUR FUTURE IS ENTIRELY UP TO YOU

A man who admitted a number of offences has been told that his future is ‘entirely up’ to him after Judge Flann Brennan gave him a suspended sentence.

The judge heard how John McGinley, (37), 6 Assumption Place, Dundalk, had been suffering from psychiatric problems and he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and hit and run offences at the Castletown Road on June 21 2014 and a public order charge at Barton park on December 18 2015.

The cases had been adjourned a number of times after it was suggested in reports that psychiatrists had problems doing a report on McGinley as it was alleged that he had threatened one of them.

But solicitor Dermot Monahan, who said that McGinley had paid €1557 compensation in the hit and run case, there was no formal complaint made in relation to the allegation about his client and asked the judge to place McGinley on a probation bond so he can continue to get treatment.

Mr Monahan said McGinley was already getting treatment from his GP. In relation to the alleged threat, the defendant told the court he couldn’t recall ‘any of this’, and added: ‘I was mental and I don’t recall threatening anyone’.

Mr Monahan said it was clear McGinley had no recollection of the alleged threat and had been engaging with his GP, whose report said the defendant was ‘engaging in a positive manner’.

The solicitor added: ‘ There is no doubt he is unwell. If he is given a chance with the Probation Service, if he is on a probation bond, he would get the right treatment and it he doesn’t, he will end up back with the psychiatric services and put the State to the expense of psychiatric reports, but there is no doubt he is unwell’.

A probation bond would, Mr Monahan said, focus McGinley on making sure he attends appointments.

A probation officer told the judge that she was concerned as to whether McGinley is getting appropriate medical treatment.

The court heard how McGinley has a number of previous convictions, including for criminal damage for which he was placed on a probation bond for 12 months in 2014. He has convictions for drink driving and having no insurance.

Judge Brennan imposed sentences totalling 12 months but suspended it for 12 months on McGinley’s own bond of €500. He imposed a three year driving ban and warned the defendant: ‘It’s entirely up to you, Mr McGinley, as to how you behave and how you continue.

‘If you get in trouble within the next 12 months, you will serve these sentences.

‘You have problems you have to address, you have problems with your behaviour and your future is entirely up to you.

‘I have made it clear to you what will happen if you don’t address this appropriately. If you can’t control your criminal and