Called pregnant girlfriend from jail on mobile phone

A prisoner has been sentenced for having a mobile phone in prison. 

Dermot Travers, 34, of 29 Saint Johns Villas, Arklow, Wicklow  admitted having a mobile  phone at the Midlands Prison, Dublin Road, Portlaoise on March 25, 2019. 

He appeared at Portlaoise District Court via video link. 

Initially Solicitor Aonghus McCarthy said a hearing date was needed for the case. 

However, the defendant said “this is just a waste of time” and entered a guilty plea to the charge. 

Mr McCarthy said his client would have around “100 previous plus VAT” and when he went into custody he learned his girlfriend was pregnant and used the phone to communicate with her. 

“He got 40 days and 40 nights without privileges,” he told the court. 

“I don’t think he has any previous for this type of offence,” added Mr McCarthy. 

Judge Andrew Cody imposed a two month prison sentence from the date of the court sitting.