Man who got ‘ numerous chances’ is jailed

A 28 year old man has been jailed for four months after Judge Kevin Kilrane said he had to be removed from society.

Judge Kilrane said David Kelly of Caltragh Crescent has had numerous chances and had been assisted by the courts and probation services in the past.

“He’s been given lots of chances to stay off alcohol but he simply won’t do it,” said the Judge.

He added that rehabilitation has to be put on the back burner which wasn’t good news for the defendant but he had to be removed from society.

Kelly admitted public order offences at Water Lane on June 19th, Wolfe Tone Street on July 26th and High Street on June 14th. He is also charged with being in possession of a hammer on this occasion.

Inspector Paul Kilcoyne said that at 6.20pm on July 26th the defendant was intoxicated and became abusive while he also tried to access a house in order to avoid the Gardaí.

On June 19th at 12.15am Gardai got a report of man acting violently at Water Lane. When Gardai arrived he was shouting at passers- by. He was intoxicated and made threats to Gardai Mark Irwin. Kelly also said that he wasn’t afraid of him and asked him did he know who he was.

Gardai were called to Stephen Street at 11.20pm on June 14th after receiving a report of a man with a hammer. Kelly was later found at High Street with a hammer.

Mr Eddie Henry, solicitor ( defending) pleaded that the root cause of Kelly’s offending was alcohol. He did extremely well over periods of time but he became a different person with drink taken.

“He takes on this gangster persona,” said Mr Henry.

He added that Kelly had engaged with the addiction services and had been assessed as suitable by the Merchant’s Quay Project.

Kelly told the court he had returned to Sligo two and a half months ago from Mayo as he found it too isolating there. He also had a baby recently with his fiancee.

He admitted he cannot take alcohol and says it was his mouth that got him into trouble.

He was told there’d be a place for him on the Merchant’s Quay Project in nine to 12 weeks.

Kelly was in regular touch with them and spoke regularly on the phone with Fr Peter McVerry.

Kelly said there was no rehabilitation for him in prison.

Inspector Paul Kilcoyne said the defendant had 92 previous convictions.

Mr Henry pleaded: “It’s alcohol every time. One he takes it, Dr Hyde comes out and he becomes a different person.

“Prison doesn’t really do him any good apart from taking him off the street. He needs rehabilitation.”

Jailing him for four months, Judge Kilrane told Kelly he was going to have to make some decision of re- sponsibility . “Prison is not going to help me”Kelly. “Then help yourself,”- Judge.