The grieving brother of murder victim Marie Greene, who was ordered to limit his drinking to “milk and water”, was remanded in custody for one week after he was unable to stump up €200 bond money in the District Court this week (March 2 ).
Garda Brian Keena told the court how he had arrested Patrick Greene (36 ) of 28, St Mel’s Terrace, Athlone at a little before 9pm on March 1 for being drunk and disorderly, and when he brought Greene back to the Garda station discovered he had two further bench warrants outstanding.
“Judge, he has had eight bench warrants issued since 2007,” Garda Keena told Judge Bridget O’Reilly.
Greene’s solicitor, Mr Mark Cooney, said his client was willing to plead guilty to the public order offences he was facing but sought a release on bail for his client.
Judge O’Reilly was willing to grant this, but subject to a number of conditions.
She ordered Greene live at the above address and sign on daily at Athlone Garda Station between the hours of 8am and 8pm.
Garda Keena then pointed out that on account of Greene’s recent bereavement he was drinking very heavily and was quite a burden on his grieving mother, with whom he was living.
On hearing this, Judge O’Reilly added the condition that Greene abstain from drinking and attend AA.
“You know what that means? Only milk and water,” she said, before setting Greene a €300 bond, with €200 of this to be personally lodged.
However, all of these conditions became moot when it became known that Greene was in no position to raise €200 to lodge as a bond. Judge O’Reilly then remanded Greene in custody in Cloverhill prison for one week, to return to Athlone District Court on March 9.
Coincidentally, Greene now joins his brother Christy, aka Snowball, on remand in the same detention centre as Jimmy Devaney, the man charged with their sister Marie’s murder.
