Man charged with long list of offences will be returned to court next month
A 43-YEAR-OLD man charged with a number of offences – which include public order, drug possession, criminal damage and theft – will find out his fate next month.
Peter Kelly of Glendallon, Ballytivnan, Sligo appeared at Sligo District Court for what was expected to be a sentencing hearing to the 28 charges he had pleaded guilty to which occurred between September 2022 and March 2024.
The vast majority of the charges related to public order incidents where Kelly was intoxicated.
Judge Brendan O’Reilly told Kelly’s solicitor, John Anderson, “there’s an underlying problem isn’t there?”.
In response Mr Anderson agreed before telling the Court that his client risks losing his Housing Association accommodation if he is incarcerated for longer than four months.
He added: “(Addiction help group) Social Groundforce are willing to work with Mr Kelly in regard to his alcohol addiction. He lost his brother at a very young ages in tragic circumstances.
Without drink/alcohol, he is a pleasant man. Obviously when the drink is in and people try to take his alcohol with him, the problems start.
“He unreservedly expresses apologies to Gardai and the Court. We need to get to the root of the addiction will help. He’s committed to me and Aubrey Melville (of Social Groundforce) and he wants to get better.”
Sgt Derek Butler then told the Court that Kelly was “one of the worst alcoholics I’ve come across. He only sobers up when in custody. Even after a heart-attack that he had, he swore to give the drink up but was back on it within three weeks.”
In response, Mr Anderson put forward a proposal to the Court in how to deal with Kelly.
He said: “Put the prison keys in his hands by way of a suspended sentence and hopefully this will break the cycle. If not, then a lengthy prison sentence awaits.”
It was then disclosed to the Court by Sgt Butler that Kelly has 93 previous convictions which include criminal damage, theft, assault, public order, destruction, drink-driving, refusal to give specimen. Kelly also received a two-month sentence at Ballyshannon Court (back in Christmas 2022) but, as Sgt Butler stated, “he was back at it when he came out”.
Kelly was then called to the witness box where he told the Court: “I apologise sincerely for my behaviour. I don’t bear any ill will to Guards but I have a bad addiction problem with drinking on the streets.
“I promise the Judge that I have made the decision to give up alcohol. It’s my own worst enemy. I’m in detox now and I’m taking this seriously.”
Sgt Butler asked Kelly if he has “only been three years sober your entire (adult) life?”. Kelly replied “yes”.
Sgt. Butler then said to Kelly: “You told me after the heart-attack you were going off the drink yet here we are with new charges in front of you. You’re still drinking.”
Kelly replied: “I’ve been trying my best.”
Sgt Butler finished his cross-examination by stating to Kelly, “the only time I’ve seen you sober these last five
due at that time,” Deputy Harkin said, “I told him these increases would cripple filling stations and retailers along the border, lead to business closures, cause job losses and put increased pressure on rural dwellers who have to use their cars more than urban dwellers.
“If the April increase happens, the situation will deteriorate further as the price difference for diesel and petrol at either side of the border years is when you’ve been in custody”.
Judge O’Reilly then questioned Kelly. He said: “You’ve had previous chances and yet you haven’t taken them.
“There’s no law against getting plastered at home. Why do you have to go out on the street and torture the Gardaí and the retail store owners? I’m not advocating you do get plastered at home but you are getting worse – seven of these charges are from this year. I hate saying this but any light (at the end of the tunnel) is in a custodial sentence and getting
will be even greater since the UK government, in its recent budget, postponed increases in excise duties on fuel for a year. According to Fuels for Ireland (FFI) from April 1 there will be a 15c per litre difference in the price of fuel between the north and the Republic. This will drive up inflation and will drive motorists across the border,” Ms Harkin said.
“The impact in counties like Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal, Roscommon and treatment there.”
Mr Anderson then intervened on behalf of his client saying: “He would get psychiatric help in prison but no help with addiction. It would be cold turkey in there.”
Judge O’Reilly responded: “The fact is that since last November, he’s got worse. Garda resources are not infinite. Were he drinking at home, we’d not hear of this. The purpose of the medication is to help him.”
Kelly was remanded back into custody with the hearing adjourned to April 11 for finalisation.
other rural areas is much greater than in urban areas,” Ms Harkin said.
“The average number of kilometres driven per car per year is 17,500 in Sligo and Donegal, over 19,000 in Leitrim and Roscommon while the national average is just 16,300 kilometres.
“This shows car owners in rural areas drive longer distances to access services, to get to work, school and childcare, and they are all disproportionately hit by these increases in fuel
prices while the biggest hit is being experienced along the border.
“Up to relatively recently fuel was one of the only retail products that was cheaper in the Republic than in the North. Now, quite the opposite will be the case and the difference in fuel prices will encourage thousands to head north to buy their groceries, alcohol and fuel. This is very serious for the local economy along the border,” Ms Harkin said.