A HEROIN addict who carried out 13 handbag snatches in early 1995 has been jailed for four years by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Mark Kenny (24), of Fatima, Mansions, Dublin, has applied for a place in the new drug free unit in Mountjoy Prison. His counsel, Mr Luigi Rea, told the court that his client realised that if he did not kick his habit now, he would continually reoffend.
Judge Cyril Kelly said the courts sometimes felt frustration at the lack of facilities available to prisoners wishing to come off drugs. He said there was little point in sending addicts to jail if they were in a worse condition on their release.
Kenny pleaded guilty to the handbag snatches, which were committed in Dublin during January and February 1995. The case has been listed for possible review on December 1st, 1997, to see if Kenny has stayed off drugs.