Naas Court hears how mother hands over money to drug dealer in Dublin earlier this week trying to save son's life
A Co Dublin mother told Naas District Court how she handed money to drugs dealer this week in a bid to save both her and her son’s life.
At Naas District Court, a 22-year-old with an address in Co Dublin, appeared facing charges in relation to a spate of Section 14 thefts, carried out over two days, on August 14 and August 15, 2017, in Counties Kildare, Laois and Westmeath.
At Jordan's Centra, Caragh, Co Kildare, a female staff member was threatened and €1,847 was stolen from the contents of the till.
At Murphy's Food, Ballybrittas, Co Laois, €300 was stolen, on August 15, 2017. Also on the same date, at Coynes Shop & Filling Station, Rochbridge, Co Westmeath, €500 in cash was stolen along with six packets of cigarettes worth €69. The court heard how both men entered Coynes ‘wearing balaclavas’.
Garda evidence outlined how a Honda Accord car was stopped and inside that car, Gardaí seized a tablet with Facebook messenger referring to ‘owing money for drugs.’ The messages on Facebook messenger also referred to ‘obtaining dark clothing’ and a hammer.
Evidence was given that the accused has ‘made admissions’ to the charges before him and admitted being addicted to cocaine.
Earlier in the week, co-accused, a 25-year-old , also from Co Dublin, appeared at Naas District Court, facing the same theft charges, but also facing charges in relation to the theft of €350 cash from Newcastle Village Stores, Newcastle Co Dublin, on August 12, 2017. He has been refused bail.
At Naas District Court, on Thursday, Garda evidence objected to the 22-year-old getting bail, on the basis that he has carried out a number of robberies in a short space of time and that the only way he can pay this drugs debt is to rob.
His mother, appeared before Naas District Court, on Thursday, giving assurances that the drugs debt is now ‘definitely paid off with benefits.’
She outlined to the court how €5,700 was owed initially, and that the majority had been paid, however, €1,200 had not been paid in time.
The mother said: “They added €4,000, we pissed them off, as we did not pay in time. I handed the money over myself.”
She outlined that the accused’s grandfather provided the money, and that it was handed over at Saggart, on Monday last.
Defence Solicitor, Timmy Kennelly, applying for bail, on behalf of the accused said: “The drugs debt is no longer.”
In court the accused told how the drugs dealers had threatened to ‘shoot’ him ‘stone dead’.
He said: “I have no intention of committing further crimes.”
The young man told the court how he is ‘addicted to cocaine’ and will be attending a private clinic. He outlined how he is due to be a father within a few weeks.
Addressing the accused, Inspector Patsy Glennon said: “I have great sympathy for anyone who is caught up in drugs. You have admitted to having a drugs problem and you have been on cold turkey for a week. You are in a difficult spot, I don’t believe that you are in control of yourself. It will be not be you, but your addiction carrying out the crimes.”
Defence said that the accused was willing to abide by any curfews and could reside at his grandfather’s home in Co Wicklow.
Judge Miriam Walsh said that ‘in view of the seriousness of the offences’ and his addiction, she would refuse bail.
The accused has been remanded in custody to appear at Cloverhill, on August 30, next. No objections were made to legal aid.