Fitness the aim after prison

A 33-year-old man who was given a two month prison sentence by Judge Kevin Kilrane at Thursday’s sitting of Sligo District Court, wants to focus on his fitness once he is released from prison.

The court heard that all of the offences were alcohol related and the defendant told the judge he is a recovering alcoholic who wants to look after his mother once he is released.

Gary Duncan of Sea View Park, Sea Road was before the court on numerous public order charges on various dates around Sligo.

These included offensive conduct at the Southern Hotel, Knappagh Road on January 23rd 2018, intoxication in O’Connell St, Sligo on August 10 th 2019, stealing cans of alcohol valued at €10.45 from Cosgrove’s Centra Maugheraboy on April 20 th 2018, intoxication and threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour at Sligo University Hospital on January 8th 2019.

There were further charges of theft of alcohol from Tesco and Mace Holborn St and further Public Order charges.

He was also charged with possession of a blade, which the court heard was a scissors and which Judge Kilrane later struck out.

Defending solicitor Mr Tom MacSharry said his client was pleading to all matters. He told the judge Duncan wished to say something.

Duncan said: “I wish to address the court. When I do get out after my sentence, I want to get back to fitness.

“I would like to apologise as well. “I would like to look after my mother genuinely. I’m a recovering alcoholic, I need to move away from here.

“I do apologise,” he said.

Mr MacSharry said that unfortunately Mr Duncan is a chronic alcoholic and is known to the court.

All of the offences are alcohol related, he added.

Mr MacSharry indicated that when his client is clean and sober he is a nice man.

He said he was before the court on numerous charges that collectively were very serious.

“In fairness to Mr Duncan, he always puts his hands up.

“This will give him the time to reflect and focus on his recovery,” Mr MacSharry maintained.

He said that Duncan, by his own admission, was very sorry for these offences. Sergeant Derek Butler informed the judge that the blade was a small scissors which Duncan had.

The judge asked him what he is doing about his alcohol addiction and Duncan replied he is attending a counsellor and psychiatrist in prison but that during Covid-19 all of the AA meetings stopped, adding that when he gets out of prison he intends going back to these meetings.

He said he was also trying to get into Cuan Mhuire Addiction Treatment Centre in Galway.

Sergeant Butler told the judge that Duncan had 60 previous convictions that were all Public Order or theft.

On each of the larceny charges, Duncan was convicted and sentenced to two months imprisonment, to run concurrently, as the judge said he was satisfied Community Service was not appropriate.

On the Public Order charges he was also convicted and sentenced to two months in prison to run concurrently.

He was convicted and fined €50 on each of the intoxication charges.

Judge Kilrane said he was not fully satisfied on the possession of a blade charge and struck that matter out.

Mr MacSharry thanked the judge for the manner in which he dealt with the case.

He said his client went into custody on June 5 th and enquired if it was possible to get the sentencing back dated.

Judge Kilrane said that he was not going to do this as he wanted to leave the defendant there for a short period so that it will give him time to reflect, he added.