A heroin addict who stole a garda's car for use in handbag robberies has been given the choice of getting treatment or serving an extended prison sentence. Judge Kieran O'Connor said his first compulsion was to add to the net three years he imposed on Jason Fogarty last February.
"The court had to protect vulnerable pensioners from you attacking, terrorising and robbing them in your lawless rampage," he told Fogarty.
Det Garda Kevin Caden said Fogarty took the garda's car from outside the Garda Club on March 19th, 1995, and used it to carry out two robberies. Fogarty (20), Saul Road, Dublin 12, pleaded guilty to a series of handbag robberies in March and August, 1995. Fogarty was on temporary release from prison when he committed these offences.
Judge O'Connor noted he jailed Fogarty on February 2nd, 1996, but since then the defendant had done nothing to deal with his addiction.
"I am directing you be given all available treatment and unless I get a positive sign that you are availing of it by February 2nd, 1997, I am going to add to your present sentence," Judge O'Connor said.