The passing of his father was the triggering issue which saw a man with very serious addiction issues relapse after six years clean and drug free.
This was the scenario outlined by a defence solicitor when the man appeared before Judge Edward Carroll at Galway District Court on theft charges. Before the court was Brendan Wall, 11 Meadow Court, Dunmurry Road, Kildare, charged with stealing two items valued at €375 and €405 on the same day. The property was recovered.
Wall is in custody on other matters, the Judge was told. Garda Sgt Damien Prendergast said Wall had 74 previous convictions, the vast majority involving thefts, handling stolen goods and burglary.
His defence pleaded that his client was 48 and had very serious addiction issues. He had been clean and drug free between 2017 and 2023, but the death of his father caused him to relapse.
He had a son in Galway and this is why he was here when these most recent thefts occurred.
He was doing well in prison, was not on a methadone programme and he had co-operated fully with the Gardaí when arrested.
Judge Carroll imposed a four-month prison sentence from Monday of this week.
