Carlow man started taking heroin when he was eight years’ old

A MAN with a previous address in Carlow who started taking drugs when he was eight years’ old was given an additional ten months in prison for a burglary in Newbridge.

“You’ve got to get a grip on your life,” said Judge Desmond Zaidan at a recent sitting of Naas District Court.

“Or the drugs will kill me,” acknowledged the prisoner.

Patrick Stokes (43), presently with an address c/o Peter McVerry Trust, Eyre Street, Newbridge, but previously with addresses in Castledermot and Carlow, was appearing at Naas District Court from custody, where he is currently serving a six-month sentence for theft, handed down only a week previously.

Garda Martin Staunton gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution that morning at Naas Garda Station after Mr Stokes was brought from the Midlands Prison, where he is serving his present sentence.

“After I cautioned him, judge, he said: ‘I’m very sorry. It won’t happen again’,” said Garda Staunton.

He then listed the offences, which consisted of three attempted burglaries in Newbridge in July and September last year at the Dove Café, Eyre Street, Daybreak shop in Great Connell, and Judge Roy Beans on Main Street.

At the Dove Café, he entered a side door meant for the apartments above and stole a bank card from a handbag on the bannisters, which “he tapped for €28 worth of cigarettes and one other item”.

At Daybreak, he entered an area where no staff were and took €120 worth of spirits, but was unsuccessful at Judge Roy Beans, for which he was formally charged with trespass.

“How did you come to arrest Patrick Stokes?” asked Judge Zaidan.

“By CCTV,” said Garda Staunton.

“And he made confessions?” surmised the judge, to which Garda Staunton said “yes”.

After his guilty plea, it was revealed that Mr Stokes had 126 previous convictions, for some of which he was currently serving his six-month sentence.

“Six months? That’s what he’s serving at the moment? I think I have the right idea,” said the judge.

Barrister Aisling Murphy informed the court that her client had a predicted release date of 4 August, adding: “It’s very unfortunate these charges come so close to his release date.” 

“He has a previous addiction to heroin, but is now on methadone and also suffers from epilepsy, and he’s usually accompanied to court by his mother,” said Ms Murphy.

“I want to speak directly to Patrick,” said the judge. “Are you going to beat this behaviour?” he asked.

“I was in contact with a social worker in Naas,” the defendant admitted.

“He was trying to get into treatment,” clarified Ms Murphy.

“I’m still working on that,” said Mr Stokes.

“Patrick, how old were you when you started taking heroin?” asked the judge.

“I think I was about eight,” said Mr Stokes to a stunned court.

Shaking his head, the judge said: “Drugs are a scourge on the nation.” “I’m going to convict, and for the Dove Café, ten months in prison, with the others taken into consideration,” said the judge.

Ms Murphy then appealed to the prosecution that “if the state has any more charges (against Mr Stokes) to bring the outstanding charges together, because they’re coming in piecemeal form”.

“I don’t think there are any other charges,” said Garda Staunton.

“You’ve got to get a grip on your life,” said the judge.

“Or the drugs will kill me,” added Mr Stokes.

 Mr Stokes subsequently appeared last week in Carlow District Court, where he was sentenced to a further seven months’ imprisonment after he admitted stealing money from a shoe shop in Carlow town.

Mr Stokes pleaded guilty to a charge of burglary by stealing €120 from Murphy’s shoe shop, Tullow Street, Carlow on 12 March last year. The court heard that he walked into the shop, walked behind the till and took the money out of the drawer. Solicitor Joe Farrell told the court that his client had addiction issues and had no money to offer the shop owner by way of compensation. Judge Geraldine Carthy sentenced Mr Stokes as above.