A 33-YEAR-OLD Limerick man who admitted striking his mother in the face with his fist, smashing the front window in his partner’s home, stealing whiskey and vodka, and possession of cocaine and crack cocaine knows that his choices are jail or death, his solicitor said.
The accused man cannot be named as some of the charges before Limerick District Court involved breaches of orders made under the Domestic Violence Act.
He admitted punching his mother, causing criminal damage in her home and the home of his partner, stealing alcohol and other items from supermarkets to the value of €236, and possession of cocaine and crack cocaine on two occasions when searched by Gardaà valued at €50.
His solicitor, Tom Kiely, said the 33-year-old has a history of addiction problems.
“He is thoroughly ashamed of himself and apologises to his mother and partner,” Mr Kiely said.
“He has been in custody and doesn’t want to apply for bail. Despite efforts to deal with his addiction, he has spiralled out of control.”
Mr Kiely said the man suffered very serious health problems in March of last year, when he was hospitalised with a perforated bowel “which is probably linked to his lifestyle”.
“He knows that for him now it is go into custody or possibly (face) death,” Mr Kiely said.
Hearing that the man had 17 previous convictions and that a number of offences were committed while he was on bail, Judge Catherine Ryan sentenced him to 11 months in jail on the assault and criminal damage charges as well as a number of charges for offences while on bail.
A number of other sentences were handed down, which are to run concurrently with the 11 months.
The judge set recognisances for an appeal at €300 cash lodgement.