Courts / Dublin / Report
Chronic addict pleads with judge to be readmitted to rehab
Summary
Blaine Coakley, a 31‑year‑old chronic heroin addict with 100 prior convictions, pleaded with Judge Karen O'Connor in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to be readmitted to the Coolmine drug rehabilitation centre after robbing a Gala shop in August 2017. He claimed he had changed since the robbery and that prison had not helped him, describing how he had been with another drug user upon release and struggled to cope. Judge O'Connor noted that Coakley had absconded from Coolmine, which limited her options, but she accepted his remorse and desire to address his drug problems. She imposed a four‑year sentence with the final 18 months suspended, ordered 18 months of post‑release supervision, and required him to complete a Coolmine residential treatment programme when a bed becomes available. The robbery involved €780 taken with a bread knife while he was on a suspended sentence for theft. Blaine Coakley pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Chronic addict pleads with judge to be readmitted to rehab. Charges or matters: robbing €780 from a Gala shop at Holles Street, Dublin 2, on August 8, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- August 8, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2018-10-03 Publication
Why: That ties my hands quite considerably because I did give you a chance," she told Coakley. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: robbing €780 from a Gala shop at Holles Street, Dublin 2, on August 8, 2017 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge O'Connor imposed a four year sentence with the final 18 months suspended. She ordered that he undergo 18 months post release supervision and complete a Coolmine residential treatment programme when a bed becomes available The court heard he committed the robbery while on a suspended sentence for theft.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Empress Place
- Summerhill
- Holles Street
Topics
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