A man who sold heroin to undercover gardai was given an additional 22 months in jail in the District Court last week (March 3 ).
Eoin Dowling (26 ) from Parnell Square, Athlone attended court from custody where he is already serving nine months for a possession conviction handed down on Ferbruary 17.
Superintendent Aidan Glacken told the court how Dowling had been arrested on two occasions - September 3 and October 21 - on Patrick Street, Athlone, for selling the drug to undercover gardai in part of an operation that has already seen at least seven others similarly convicted.
Outlining the range of his client’s addiction to heroin, Mr Padraig Quinn told the court Dowling “would’ve been in a sorry state” at the time.
“This was his choice,” said Judge John Neilan.
“It wasn’t his choice, judge.” said Mr Quinn.
“Mr Quinn, are you telling me the State is responsible for his problems?” asked the judge.
“No, judge,” replied Mr Quinn quickly.
Dowling, who had 17 previous convictions, was given 11 months in jail for the first charge and a consecutive 11 for the second.
Judge Neilan ordered this sentence to run concurrently with his present sentence and backdated them to February 17.
