Mother ‘at wit’s end’ over young son who would go missing for days on binges

A youth before Sligo District Court on Thursday on a number of public order charges was told by Judge Kevin Kilrane to watch out as he was shortly turning 18 and was then in the big boys club.

The young man was found by gardaí in a very drunken state on August 1st 2018 and he began getting very abusive towards gardaí and had to be restrained.

He then threatened gardaí that he was going to burn their houses.

He also spat on their trousers and continued to shout abuse at them when he was put in the patrol car and he was kicking the doors while being brought to Ballymote Garda Station.

On another occasion, February 1st 2018 the teenager was found by gardaí outside the gated entrance of Sligo Court office.

His foot was lodged and he was in no way coherent, Sergeant Derek Butler told the court.

It became apparent to gardaí that he was after taking mind altering substances as he was in a very unusual state, crying then laughing and then going in and out of a state of unconsciousness, the court was told.

Mr Noel Kelly, solicitor (defending) said that the young man was the oldest in his family.

He had been taking alcohol since he was 12 years old and drugs.

He could offer no rational explanation for his actions.

Mr Kelly said that gardaí had been very good to him as they were looking out for him.

He said the youth has changed since. His mother was at her wits end with worry as he would go missing for days on drink and drug binges.

He was currently finishing the Leaving Cert applied.

His father, who was in court with him, was asked by Judge Kilrane how he is doing now. The father replied that he is doing good and when the judge enquired if the is drinking now he replied he won’t be drinking in his house.

The young man said he was dabbling in cannabis but that he was trying to reduce it.

The judge warned him about the effects of cannabis genetically manufactured and how some people have serious mind altering experiences that affects them for the rest of their lives.

“Every gangster and rascal will grow cannabis and sell it to the likes of you,” the judge added.

He ordered a Supervision Bond for a year and told him he hopes he goes in the right direction.