Judge ‘had no choice but to deal harshly with man’

JUDGE Kevin Kilrane said he had no choice but to deal harshly with a man who he sent to prison for 18 months. He handed down the sentence to Oisín Gethins (26) of Garavogue Villas who was on a mission of self-destruction, judge Kevin Kilrane said. The defendant had €2,000 compensation in court but the judge refused to hand out the money to the injured parties as it was too difficult to divide it up between them.

Gethins was sentenced to 3 months in prison for criminal damage on February 24 th 2018, a further 3 months for breaking into the Gala Store, Main St, Dromahair on the same date. He was was given another 3 months in prison for criminal damage on January 10 th 2018 and a further 3 months for theft from Mr Price, Cleveragh Retail Part on October 9 th 2018. Judge Kilrane imposed a 3 month sentence to run consecutively for criminal damage at TK Maxx on June 7 th 2018 and on the charge of possession of gloves, hatchet and pliers with the intention of using them in the course of a theft or burglary at Cleveragh Industrial Estate on November 29 th 2017 he was given a 3 month prison sentence.

Another 3 month sentence to run concurrently was handed down for burglary from Fowley’s Garage, Dromahair on November 29 th 2017.

A 3 month sentence to run concurrently was also imposed on Gethins for the theft of a chainsaw on April 5 th 2018. He was also convicted for public order with sentencing totally 18 months in prison. Ms Spellman asked Judge Kilrane if he could suspend some of the length but he said he couldn’t, adding that her client’s case was one of self-destruction and reoffending.

Ivan Gethins (27) of Garavogue Villas was also due to be sentenced on Thursday but Judge Kevin Kilrane said he needed time to read through a comprehensive psychiatric report on the defendant and remanded him to the next sitting of Sligo District Court on Thursday. Mr Mark Mullaney solicitor represented him.