‘Don’t spoil your life’ pleads judge to defendant
A man who pleaded guilty to possession of a substance has been asked by a Judge not to spoil his life by reoffending.
Jonnatha Gino, 25, of Glencarrig, Ballinode, appeared at Sligo District Court to plead guilty to the charge.
Sgt Derek Butler told the Court that on November 15, 2023 at 11.55pm, Gardaí observed Gino “acting suspiciously” and stopped him to conduct a search.
The officers found a white powder substance which was later diagnosed at being ketamine with a street value of €50.
Defending solicitor, Mark Mullaney, told the Court that his client was “going through a bad time in his life back then but has turned it around and is now working as a chef”.
Judge Deirdre Gearty instructed Gino to donate €200 to charity and told him: “Please don't get caught again. This is poison – don't spoil your life by coming before this Court again. Best of luck for the future.”
Prison for man with “appalling record”
A 27-year-old man has been sent to prison after pleading guilty to a number of driving offences.
Jack Rice of The Plains, Boyle, Co. Roscommon, was at Sligo District Court to answer to charges of speeding, driving without insurance, not producing insurance, driving with a licence and not producing a driver's licence.
Sgt Derek Butler told the Court that on April 4, 2023 at 2.30am, a black Saab car was recorded driving at a speed of 131km per hour in a 100km zone.
The driver was Rice and he was told to produce his licence and insurance documents within 10 days to the Garda. He failed to do so.
It was disclosed to the Court that Rice has 44 previous convictions.
Defending solicitor, Tom MacSharry, told the Court that his client has “addiction issues with alcohol and prescription drugs as well as having depression”.
He added that Rice “went sober but had a relapse and he knows he needs to get clean and sober again”.
Mr MacSharry concluded by asking the Court to be as lenient as possible towards his client.
In response, Judge Deirdre Gearty said: “He has an appalling record in these matters and has been given every possible means of help. I sentence him to six months in prison.”
Mr MacSharry asked if that sentence could be suspended but Judge Gearty refused this request.
In addition, Rice was disqualified from driving for 10 years.