This article is from page 8 of the 2006-04-25 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
A CLARECASTLE man with 21 previous convictions has been jailed for 20 months, after pleading guilty to a string of offences last year.
Alan Kerin (22), a father-of-one, of Church Drive, Clarecastle, pleaded guilty to a variety of offences, including theft, possession of cannabis and drink driving, between May and October 2005.
Ennis District Court heard that gardaí received a call that the parochial house in Clarecastle had been broken into, on October 26, 2005. Up to €400 in notes and some coins were missing.
Det Gda Kevin Kennedy approached the accused and as he did so, Kerin dropped a bag of coins. A struggle ensued and the garda received a number of blows. Kerin was so drunk he couldn’t be questioned when brought to Ennis Garda Station.
In August 2005, he was arrested for a public order offence and brought to Ennistymon Garda Station for questioning. He was searched there and a stolen gold ring – which belonged to an Italian tourist – was found on him, which he said was given to him by someone he knew.
In May, he was caught drink driving and gave a false name and address to a garda. He also pleaded guilty to being drunk in public in Lahinch in August, and he shouted insults at two gardaí at Steele’s Terrace in Ennis on October 23 last, referring to them as “muppets”.
On another occasion, he was found in possession of a small amount of cannabis. Kerin also admitted stealing alcohol from two supermarkets, all of which was recovered.
Defending solicitor Tara Godfrey said all of the offences centred around alcohol.
“I believe Alan Kerin has a dangerous relationship with drink, but Alan Kerin is not a no-hoper,” said the solicitor.
The court was told he has 21 previous convictions, including for assault, theft and criminal damage, and is currently serving a 16-month sentence. Judge Joseph Mangan imposed sentences totalling 20 months. He disqualified him from driving for three years.
“I can find very little in the way of mitigating circumstances, expect for the fact that a plea was entered,” said the judge.