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Judge commends former drug addict on successful rehabilitation

Summary

A court heard that Jonathan Goulding (28), also known as Goulding Aka Farrell, pleaded guilty to burglary at Mr Price, Coolock Retail Park, on March 27, 2017, and dangerous driving around the Malahide area, Dublin, on October 2, 2014. The charges were admitted, and the case was at the charge_or_pretrial stage. Goulding has 48 previous convictions, including burglary, theft, and a seven-year sentence for a past drugs offence. The court heard that during the burglary, Goulding held a screwdriver in a menacing way towards the shop staff. In the dangerous driving incident, he was involved in a high-speed chase, drove the wrong way on a dual carriageway, and caused multiple vehicles to take evasive action. Judge Melanie Greally noted that Goulding had been in the throes of drug addiction at the time of the offences. She commended his successful rehabilitation, including completing a drug treatment programme and taking up full-time employment in construction. The judge imposed a fully suspended three and a half year prison term and a two-year driving ban. Conditions included remaining sober and substance free and continuing to attend AA meetings. The matter was adjourned.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Judge commends former drug addict on successful rehabilitation. Charges or matters: burglary at Mr Price, Coolock Retail Park, on March 27, 2017; dangerous driving around the Malahide area, Dublin, on October 2, 2014. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

• March 27, 2017 Incident
• October 2, 2014 Incident
• October 2014 Incident
• March 2017 Incident
• 2018-10-08 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Burglary Drugs Road Traffic Stage Charge Or Pretrial Theft

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Read the original CNI report