Longford man who caused €440 worth of damage to front door had been ‘fraught with drugs’

A man who pleaded guilty to trespassing at Weavers Hall in Longford’s Market Square on March 12 this year has been given five months in prison, a sentence that was backdated to take into consideration time spent in custody.

37 year old John Courtney who at the time lived in 7 Harbour Point Apartments, Longford, was before the court charged with having caused €440 worth of damage to the front door of Weavers Hall.

Mr Courtney had pleaded guilty to trespassing at Weavers Hall on March 12 last “in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that such entry was intended to commit an offence or to unlawfully interfere with any property therein.”

The accused also admitted to having caused criminal damage worth €440 to the front door of the complex on the same date. Separately, Mr Courtney admitted trespassing at Weavers Hall on March 28 last.

Mr Courtney, who had no connection to Weavers Hall, was described by his solicitor Frank Geraty as having had “addiction issues that were very rampant in his physical condition at the time of offending.”

He added that his client had been “fraught with drugs” when he committed the offences.

The court was provided with a probation report and a governor’s report on Mr Courtney, both of which had been requested by Judge Owens during the September 14 court sitting.

In referencing the probation officer’s assessment of his client, Mr Gearty told the court that he wished to draw attention to the point that Mr Courtney was noted as “having demonstrated a willingness to engage in rehabilitation.”

Mr Gearty said that while he appreciated the court had “aggravating as well as mitigating factors to deal with,” he asked that Judge Owens “consider building into the sentence a rehabilitation measure.”

Mr Gearty also requested the court take into account the period of time already served by Mr Coutney in custody, and pointed out that there was “no reason why Mr Courtney couldn’t make a significant contribution to society if he stayed off the hard stuff.”

In response, Judge Owens agreed Mr Courtney deserved credit for pleading guilty.

She commended Mr Courtney’s progress, saying, “we now have a probation report that gives the court a clearer picture with regard to Mr Courtney.

“Certainly as Mr Gearty says, even going by Mr Courtney’s physical appearance, he looks better.”

Judge Owens added that there were aggravating factors she would have to take into account, particularly offences committed while on bail pending Circuit Court appeal.

In delivering her verdict, Judge Owens said she was convicting Mr Courtney and imposed two consecutive five-month prison terms, with the first backdated to May 25 to reflect time already served in custody.

Mr Courtney was also handed a six-month sentence, which was suspended for 18 months on a €200 bond, subject to engagement with probation services.

In concluding her sentencing, Judge Owens addressed the defendant. “It’s up to you now Mr Courtney to engage with probation and to work on the progress you have made with rehabilitation.”

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