A man who threatened to stab a former schoolmate in the early hours after he and a co-accused heard the victim talk about money, had an 11 month sentence adjourned until May to see if he can come up with an adequate compensation offer.
Gary O’Donnell (34 ), with addresses at Marine View, Athlone and Lisryan Oaks, Strokestown, Co Roscommon was in the District Court this week (February 17 ) to plead guilty to the theft of a wallet from the injured party at 1.50am on April 5, 2009.
The court heard how O’Donnell and a co-accused approached two people on the street after hearing them talk about money.
“They pinned them against a vehicle...and threatened to stab them,” said Inspector Nicholas Farrell.
A wallet and contents worth €190 was taken and not recovered, the court heard. No compensation had been offered. Inspector Farrell told the court how one of the named victims had some difficulties going out at night since the attack.
O’Donnell had a number of previous convictions for public order offences and theft for which he received an eight month prison sentence in 2008.
Judge John Neilan pointed out that the first anniversary of this offence was approaching and the defendant hadn’t “€1 or €5 in court” for compensation.
“He has no money and there’d be no point looking for it,” said his solicitor, Mr Tony McLynn.
“This man went out with funds and drank to excess. By any standards, this was a serious charge,” said the judge.
“It is compounded by the fact that they knew each other from school,” said Mr McLynn.
“Some people go to school and learn, and others couldn’t bother,” said the judge.
The court heard how O’Donnell had drink and drug addictions, but had recently been living with his sister in Strokestown and working part-time with his brother-in-law. The judge wanted to know what O’Donnell had been doing towards compensation since the crime last April.
“He has €50, judge,” said Mr McLynn, but the judge was unimpressed.
“His sister came forward and dropped that fairly quickly in your lap,” snapped Judge Neilan, before sentencing O’Donnell to 11 months in prison.
He adjourned the imposition of this until May 26 to allow the defendant come up with a compensation offer and to allow his defence team produce a psychiatric report from Roscommon hospital.
