A heroin dealer and thief was told to give two clean urine tests a week for the next fortnight or face 22 months in jail, it was revealed at the District Court this week (July 1 ).
Keith Greene (31 ), with an address at St Mel's Terrace, Athlone was in court to have a final probation report handed in concerning his progress since he failed to complete a 240 hour community service order.
“It [the report] is qualified but he has made progress,” said Greene's solicitor, Mr Tony McLynn, but the judge was not impressed.
“It says here he has missed appointments and is at a high risk of re-offending,” said Judge John Neilan after reading the latest report.
That's it as far as the courts are concerned. There is nothing here to indicate Mr Greene is motivated to do anything to help himself.
“There are matters here since November 2007. He has stumbled through his community service order and he's used his time on bail to clock up further offences.
“He just stringing us along and he's met the wrong judge to try that with.”
The court heard how Greene had pleaded guilty in February to breaking and entering a doctor's surgery and stealing a number of prescriptions in December 2007.
He also pleaded guilty to the possession with intent to supply of €300 worth of heroin in March.
The judge pointed out how he had given Greene an 11-month sentence on February 11 for the surgery break-in, but adjourned it to allow him the opportunity to show an improvement in his behaviour.
“Then on January 14 he's caught in possession of heroin and on March 3 with heroin and cannabis,” said the judge.
“He's keeping the marketplace open.”
He re-imposed Greene's 11 months for the surgery break-in and prescription theft and added a consecutive 11 months for the €300 worth of heroin he was found with on March 3.
However, he gave the defendant one final chance and postponed imposition of sentence until July 15, ordering Greene to give four clean urine tests in that period.
“On that date I'm just going to ask the Probation Service are you in compliance and all I want to hear is one of two words – yes or no,” said the judge.
“How many more people have you contaminated over the years?” he asked.
“All remaining [seven] charges will follow on that date.”
