A 31-year-old Galway man, with chronic difficulties with substance addiction and mental health issues, has been given his last chance to escape jail and complete a treatment course.
Diarmuid Maloney (31 ) with a previous address at Dun Na Mara, Renmore, was before Judge Mary Fahy at Galway District Court on Monday charged with numerous public order offences as well as some posession of drugs offences.
Inspector Ernie White told the court that on November 7, 2010, at 1.30pm in Eyre Square the defendant was seen sitting down and asking passers-by for money, and that when they refused he became abusive to them. When gardai spoke to him Maloney told them “get the f**k away” and “have you nothing f**king better to be doing”. At 11pm on October 30, the defendant was found in a very drunk state, hassling and shouting at people outside Supermac’s in Eyre Square and it was neccessary to arrest him.
Maloney was again found to be hassling passers-by in Eyre Square on August 20 at 1.20pm. He was arrested when he became very abusive to gardai, calling them names. Five days later at 11am Maloney was begging outside Supermac’s in Eyre Square. Inspector White explained that the defendant had been sitting on the footpath which forced the public to walk around him. When approached he became very abusive to gardai.
On July 24 at 4.45pm gardai spoke to an intoxicated Maloney in Shop Street and when searched white powder, €10 of amphetamine, was found in his possession. On June 18 at 7.10pm a member of the public complained that Maloney had been hassling a number of people trying to use an ATM machine in Eyre Square. A drunk Maloney was again abusive, telling gardai to “f**k off”. Days ealier, on June 6, the defendant was stopped and found in possession of €15 worth of cannabis resin.
Defence solicitor Valerie Corcoran said that her client has been “clean of alcohol and drugs” since before Christmas and that there is a place available for him for treatment at Cuan Mhuire in Athy, Co Kildare, however he had to take it up immediately (Tuesday ). She added that Maloney has been seeing a doctor regarding his bipolar disorder difficulties.
“I find that very hard to believe. This man is spending all day and all night in Eyre Square. I put a condition on his bail time and time again for him to stay away from Eyre Square or Shop Street but he has ignored every court order. He has to be taught a lesson,” said Judge Fahy who asked for proof that a place at Cuan Mhuire had been secured. “Or is he just clutching at straws to avoid a sentence?” she asked.
After making checks Inspector White informed Judge Fahy that assessment for the defendant had been arranged at the treatment centre for the next day [Tuesday] and that a bed was available for him for the duration of a 12 week course.
Judge Fahy deferred sentencing and further remanded Maloney on continuing bail to March 16 (the defendant was excused from attending in person ) on the condition that he attends the treatment centre for assessment and completes the course and be of good behaviour.
