Probation missed through fear of further assault

“I WAS badly assaulted with hammers, I was in fear of my life and that’s why I missed those probation dates”. That was the claim of a 24-year-old man who said that when he was released from prison, “very significant and dangerous people” knew of only two places he would be “probation and the dole, so I didn’t go to either of them”. The revelation came when Patrick Hannon, at Limerick Circuit Court, sought Judge Carroll Moran reinstate his bail after the Probation Services had it revoked due to missed appointments.

Giving evidence at the Circuit Court, Mr Hannon said that he stayed away from both places and did without his social welfare payments until he made alternative arrangements.
He told Judge Carroll Moran that since missing the appointments he had been returned to prison having originally obtained bail for the charges he faces.
“I hate it and I am willing to do anything that the court asks to get out. I’ll take any chance with both hands”, he told the court.
Judge Carroll Moran adjourned the matter until later this week for all the facts to be presented by both sides.