Probation report for man who had €500 worth of heroin

A CONVICTED rapist who had €500 worth of heroin on him will have a probation report prepared.

Bray District Court heard last Thursday that gardaí received a report on July 14, 2016, that a man and woman were acting suspiciously at the car park of the old Dell building.

Gardai went to the location where they saw John English (39), 536 North Circular Road, Dublin, with a woman. He handed over €230 worth of heroin to gardai. In a further search, they found €270 on him in eight deals.

When interviewed, English admitted that the drugs were for himself and his partner.

The court heard that English was previously sentenced at Cork Circuit Court to 18 years in prison for rape, with five years of that sentence suspended.

Barrister Eamonn O’Moore said that his client had bought the drugs for himself and his girlfriend. Mr O’Moore said that English had addiction issues in the past. His demons primarily centred around alcohol, which Mr O’Moore said was ‘ the root of the evil inside him’. English has attended AA and NA, the court heard.

His addiction to heroin arose from living in hostels. He spent the majority of his adult life in prison, and was released on certain terms. There were limited places he could live, and, understandably according to his barrister, adverse publicity around his release.

‘ The only places available were less than desirable hostels riddled with drug use and people with addiction problems. That’s where he picked up the habit,’ said Mr O’Moore.

‘His life was bleak at the time. He doesn’t want to be on heroin.’

Judge Kennedy adjourned the matter to July 27 for a probation report.