A judge worried that a repeat teen offender with a drug habit whom he had dealt with on a number of occasions before, might someday have to be pulled out of the Shannon because she was unable to stand up in court this week (February 17 ).
Judge John Neilan was hearing the case of a teenage girl who, though just turned 18, could not yet be named as her nine theft, possession and public order charges were committed between April and October last year.
The named teen had a probation report handed into court which her solicitor, Mr Tony McLynn, suggested was “largely positive”.
However, Judge Neilan disagreed.
“The last time she was here on January 27, she wasn’t able to walk from the chambers because she was intoxicated by drugs. I saw that with my own eyes,” said the judge.
“There is some immaturity on her behalf of what the dangers she was putting herself in, with her peer group and with drugs,” said Mr McLynn.
“The Youthreach manager said she was doing very well when she was there.”
Judge Neilan was still not impressed.
“It seems her diligence and motivation has been brought about by her remands [her orders to return to court],” said the judge.
“On January 27, my concerns were what if she was pulled out of the River Shannon? I’m worried I’ll get into my car and drive home, and before I get home she could be gone into the Shannon,” said the judge.
“[The named teenager] is as important as everybody else in the courtroom but her condition suggests she could actually fall in and be lost forever. It would be a great tragedy.”
Mr McLynn pointed out the probation report suggested his client had made “a substantial improvement” and that both her parents were in court and “can testify she’s in by 6pm and has broken ties [with troublesome peers]”.
“It’s quite possible she is in at that time with her pocket full of drugs to get her through the night. This would not happen in Mountjoy,” said the judge.
“She’s not in a similar condition [to January 27] today,” said Mr McLynn.
“She’s not far off it. She’s not able to stand up,” said the judge.
He remanded the girl on continuing bail, under all the existing conditions, back to Athlone District Court on March 3 for a further probation report into her rehab efforts.
