Ballinakill man learned lesson
A FORMER heroin addict was given suspended sentences at last week's sitting of Portlaoise District Court, where it was heard that he has engaged with treatment and is no longer taking drugs.
Christopher Campion, 5 Chapel Street, Ballinakill was charged with the stealing a car at The Square, Ballinakill on February 9, 2009 and with possession of drug(s) and obstruction at Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise on June 23 of this year. He was further charged with the stealing of a car from 5 Chapel Street and with no insurance at Townspark, Durrow, all on December 24, 2008.
The court heard in relation to the taking of the car on December 24, he was observed driving by garda who stopped him. The defendant admitted he had no insurance documents, and was driving the car without the permission of the owner, who was his brother. The car was seized following the incident.
The defendant had a number of previous convictions, including drink driving, stealing a car, criminal damage and possession of a knife.
Defence solicitor Philip Meagher said his client had been a drug addict. “At his worst, he was taking six or seven bags of heroin a day. He had a serious accident and was hospitalised, which was a wake up call for him - it helped him to deal with his drug problem,” Mr Meagher said.
He admitted to Judge Gerard Haughton that this crash had been in a stolen car.
On leaving hospital, the defendant went to the Cuain Mhuire residential addiction treatment centre where he stayed for five months. “He left last February and has been clean since. He hasn’t come to the attention of gardai since,” Mr Meagher said.
“He assures the court he will never get involved in anything like this again,” his solicitor said.
Noting the defendant had a previous conviction for car theft, Judge Haughton said, “I accept from the probation report that he has turned himself around and engaged in treatment”. Nevertheless, he said he had to acknowledge the seriousness of the offences.
A number of suspended prison sentences were imposed on the defendant, the longest of which was for nine months. He also received a number of driving disqualifications, the longest being for six years, along with licence endorsements. He was bound over to keep the peace for two years.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Weather for Portlaoise
Sunday 26 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Heavy rain
Temperature: 5 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South west
