A teenager who was found driving a stolen car while under the influence of an intoxicant on two separate occasions, and charged with stealing a camera, being highly intoxicated and aggressive in a public place, and for abusing schoolchildren in Eyre Square, has been sentenced to 12 months in jail.
Patrick McCarthy (19 ) with an address at 9 Grealishtown, Bothermore, appeared at Galway District Court last week to answer more than 26 charges against him. He pleaded guilty to a number of offences which included drink driving, the unlawful taking of a car, driving without insurance, being intoxicated in a public place, and to threatening and abusive behaviour. A number of other charges were struck out including two counts of dangerous driving.
Garda Cathal Rodgers told the court that on January 27, 2008, at 4am at Bothar An Coiste, Headford Road, the defendant was seen driving a vehicle dangerously. The Garda patrol car followed and managed to stop the defendant’s car. When he was brought to Galway Garda Station he gave an alcohol reading of 58mg per 100ml of breath. He added that the car had been unlawfully taken and he was also charged with driving without insurance and a driving licence.
On September 21, 2007, at 3.55am at Cluain Riocaird, Headford Road, gardaí received reports of youths “tampering with vehicles”. The gardaí signalled for the car to stop but the driver, the defendant, failed to do so. He was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and gave an alcohol reading of 37mg per 100ml of breath. He was also charged with driving without insurance and a driving licence.
Garda Alan Regan told the court that on May 24, 2008, at the Claddagh, he noticed that the defendant, who was walking towards him in a very drunk state, had something which he was trying to hide under his jacket. He was found to be in possession of a digital camera which had been taken out of a young woman’s handbag. The defendant then became very aggressive towards the garda and was arrested.
Regarding a number of public order offences, Inspector Ernie White told the judge that on August 24, 2008, at 4.20am at Eyre Square, the Gardaí were dealing with an altercation when the defendant approached and became loud and abusive. On August 27, 2008, at 10.30pm at Grealishtown, Bothermore, gardaí responded to reports of a disturbance. The defendant was found highly agitated and intoxicated. On May 23, 2008, at 6pm in Eyre Square, the defendant was aggressive to gardaí and was “waving his fists at a number of young foreign students”. On the same date at 3.30am in Bohermore, there were men causing trouble and the defendant was found in possession of a hat with a rock hidden in it. On January 14, 2008, at 3.40pm in Eyre Square, gardaí were on patrol when they spotted defendant in a very drunk state “pushing and shoving schoolchildren”.
Defence solicitor Olivia Traynor said that the court had made several efforts with her client and that he had not been admitted to Harristown House, after being referred by the Probation Services, because he was still on valium. He then got a place in Cluain Mhuire but then displayed psychological problems. Ms Traynor then voiced her concerns for her client’s “IQ levels” which “compounded with alcohol and valium is a disaster and the public suffers”.
“He’s broken every chance,” said Judge Mary Fahy, who imposed a number of sentences on the various charges, which total 12 months. He was disqualified for two years for the unlawful taking of a car, four years for drink driving, and six years for a second drink driving charge. Fines totalling €300 were also imposed for public order offences.
