'Depressing case' sees man with 305 previous convictions jailed for repeatedly failing to appear in court
A serial offender on “a path to self-destruction” with more than 300 previous convictions has been jailed for repeatedly failing to appear in court while on bail, in what a judge described as a “depressing case”.
William Morrison (60) of Kilmartin Drive, Tallaght, Dublin 24, was brought before the district court on foot of a bench warrant executed by Garda Kate McLoughlin. The warrant had been issued after Morrison failed to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice on 1 May last.
Garda McLoughlin was present at Tallaght District Court to confirm the execution of the warrant.
Judge John O’Leary dealt with four charges against Morrison of failing to appear in court, contrary to Section 13(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, as amended by Section 23 of the 2007 Act. He convicted and sentenced Morrison, who had pleaded guilty, on one count, imposing a three-month prison term and taking the other three into consideration.
The court heard that Morrison has 305 previous convictions, including those for theft, criminal damage, public order and repeated failures to appear in court.
Defence solicitor Kevin Tunney said his client has a long-standing alcohol addiction and is currently on a waiting list for treatment. “He expects to go to prison,” Mr Tunney said, adding that there has been some engagement with a clinic.
Judge O’Leary described the case as “depressing” and said Morrison was on “a path to self-destruction”.
“There are a lot of people with drink problems,” he said, “but not with 305 previous convictions. There’s only one person who can help him, and that’s himself.”
Morrison was remanded in custody to appear before Cloverhill District Court on Friday, 13 June, in relation to further outstanding matters.
No application for bail was made and legal aid was assigned.