A 24-year-old man who tore up a mattress while being held in a garda station cell received a three month suspended sentence at Galway District Court this week.
Ross Morgan with an address at 8 Ard An Choiste, Headford Road, appeared at Monday’s court sitting charged with criminal damage at Galway Garda Station on September 4, 2012.
Inspector Ernie Whyte told the court that at 1.30am the defendant was being held in a cell when “tore the bed mattress to pieces” causing €100 worth of damage.
Defence solicitor John Martyn explained that his client had been placed in the cell as gardai had been concerned for his safety. He added that Morgan suffers from depression and had been drinking at the time of the offence.
The court then heard that Morgan has six previous convictions, all committed in 2009, and which included being intoxicated in a public place, threatening and abusive behaviour, possession of drugs, and possession of drugs with intent to sell or supply.
Mr Martyn added that Morgan is currently in receipt of jobseekers allowance but plans to go abroad for work.
Judge Mary Fahy convicted Morgan and imposed a sentence of three months which was suspended for a period of 12 months on condition that he enter into a bond of €300 to be of good behaviour. Legal aid was also granted.
