Teenager had clawhammer and balaclava in stolen car

A TEENAGER who was discovered by gardaí in a stolen car with items that included a clawhammer and a balaclava was handed a suspended sentence when he appeared before Carlow District Court last week.

Nineteen-year-old Aaron McLean was charged with possessing articles with intent, such as a clawhammer, a vice-grips, gloves and a balaclava in Springfield Park, Carlow on 29 July last year. He was also charged with the unauthorised taking of a car arising from the same incident.

The case had been heard in a previous court sitting, when Inspector Tom Jones told Judge Geraldine Carthy that gardaí had received a report of a car acting suspiciously in the Millrace area of Carlow town and that when they went to investigate, they saw the car in Springfield Park. As the squad car approached, the car reversed at speed and crashed into them.

He continued that the gardaí took the three male occupants out of the car, including Mr McLean, and when they searched the vehicle, they found the items mentioned.

Mr McLean had pleaded guilty in that court sitting and Judge Carthy had adjourned sentencing for preparation of a probation report.

Last week, Mr McLean’s barrister told the judge that his client had ADHD and hyperactivity disorder and that he first took drugs at the age of 13 but that he was now drug-free. The counsel continued that Mr McLean was “extremely sorry” for what he did and that he was now in a stable relationship while also in employment. The barrister also handed Judge Carthy letters from the defendant’s key worker in his rehabilitation programme, noting that the probation report assessed Mr McLean as a “moderate risk” of reoffending.

Judge Carthy then sentenced Mr McLean of Comeragh Road, Drimnagh, Dublin 12 to eight months in prison, which she suspended for 12 months. She also ordered him to engage with the Probation Service and to comply with all of its directions. She put him off the road for one year for stealing the car.