Judge says man who claims prison ‘full of drugs’ is telling the 'truth'

A man who appeared before Naas District Court via video link told the sitting judge there that the prison he is currently remanded in 'is full of drugs.'

The claim was made by Niall Gill, of Courtown Park in Kilcock, but who is remanded in custody awaiting further legal proceedings.

The 27-year-old is accused of the theft of a phone worth €600, a laptop, a thermometre and a headphone bag from a property located in Co Kildare on October 9 last. 

The man, who the court heard, has addiction issues appealed to Judge Desmond Zaidan, Mr Gill.

"They (the State) are putting me somewhere that is full of drugs... I need treatment."

Mr Gill also told the judge: "I want to quit drugs for my child, but who is gonna give me a chance? I'm basically being thrown to the wolves here, there is no after-care in prison."

In response, Judge Zaidan told the man: "I know exactly where you're coming from."

"I appreciate that," Mr Gill replied.

Judge Zaidan remarked that the defendant appeared healthier on the latest court date, compared to when he saw him in court a few weeks ago.

"If the State wants to target the drug trade, they need to increase the number of treatment centres," he said.

The juge spoke to gardaí.

"You heard what he (Mr Gill) said; he has told the truth. If he was in a hospital setting, where he wasn't allowed to leave because of an order imposed by a judge, then there may be some success, but we don't seem to learn, it's just '(provide recovering addicts with) methadone, methadone, methadone."