'I don't want to be spending no more time in jail' says Offaly man
A HOMELESS Tullamore man was praised by Judge Andrew Cody for managing to overcome his heroin addiction.
However the local District Court heard that Stephen Bracken (30), of no fixed abode, is now addicted to alcohol and he admitted over 20 charges of theft from retail premises, many of them involving stealing drink.
The court was told Mr Bracken, who has been in custody since July 23, has over 100 previous convictions and according to his solicitor “is stuck between a rock and a hard place” because while he's in prison he cannot seek accommodation to stay in when he is released.
Mr Bracken stole alcohol on 12 different occasions between November 22 last year and July 22 this year from stores in Tullamore and Clara.
He has been appearing before the court by video link since going into custody but last Wednesday was brought to court in person.
Defending solicitor Aisling Maloney said Mr Bracken was trying to manage his withdrawal from alcohol and he feared that he could get fatal seizures if he stopped too quickly.
He now had a desire to address his alcohol addiction but there was a waiting list for treatment in the Midlands.
“He's sober today,” she told Judge Cody.
The judge replied: “I'd be surprised if he wasn't.”
Mr Bracken asked the judge to sentence him and release him. “I'll take this chance if you give it,” he said.
The man said he planned to get accommodation with a voucher from the County Council on release, go to a clinic and get a key worker.
“I don't want to be spending no more time in jail. I'm sick of it,” he said, adding that while he was on good terms with his parents he could not stay with them.
Judge Cody said he was considering putting the matter back for a week because he needed more evidence of “more permanent” accommodation.
Mr Bracken said if he was released he could sleep in the hospital emergency department overnight and then go to the council homeless section the following morning.
Judge Cody let the matter stand for a period and when it came before the court again he was told by Ms Maloney that her client remained of the view that he wished to be released.
The solicitor repeated that it seemed to her the man was motivated to deal with his alcohol addiction.
(Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme)