Must come up with €500 for a charity

A 38 year-old man who was seen staggering into people and on to the road was ordered to come up with €500 for Hope House when he appeared at Sligo District Court.

Summoned for being intoxicated at Wine Street on August 7 th last was Clive Oldfield of Carrowlustia, Calry.

Inspector Paul Kilcoyne said the defendant was observed by Gardaí but when they approached him he refused all medical assistance or to be allowed be taken home. He was subsequently arrested. He had one previous conviction for a public order offence in Letterkenny in 2002.

Mr Donncha Anhold, solicitor (defending) pleaded that the father of three had suffered very much from a serious alcohol dependency in the past.

Oldfield told Judge Kevin Kilrane that since the matter was previously in court he had seen a counsellor in Markievicz House for six sessions, the last being about three months ago.

He said the offence was once-off and he had put it behind him. He had been battling alcoholism for 20 years. He worked in the security business and his job would be at risk if he received a conviction.

Judge Kilrane said he accepted the defendant was doing his best he could. He thought it unwise however that his counselling had finished and believed the defendant needed some kind of ongoing treatment.

The defendant was remanded on continuing bail to June 26 th when the Judge said he wanted to see a letter of evidence of continuing treatment and for production of €500 for Hope House.

If this was done he would apply the Probation Act.