A JUDGE sitting in Galway has said he was inclined to think he was wasting his time after hearing that a man he had sent to jail for three months was released after two days due to lack of prison space.
Galway District Court heard the defendant was so shocked at being released so soon he went on a drinking binge and committed a number of robberies in Galway last weekend.
Judge John Garavan said he was equally shocked and felt he was wasting his own time and Garda time was being wasted when prisoners were being released so quickly without completing their sentences.
Tom Mongan (33), of Hillside Park, was released on Friday last after being jailed the previous Wednesday for committing criminal damage. He pleaded guilty to three larceny and five other minor charges committed over the weekend.
Defending solicitor, Mr Benen Fahy, said his clients went drinking when he was returned to Galway after spending two days in a Dublin jail. "He was anticipating a longer break and it was a bit of a surprise for him to be out so quickly. He just went drinking then."
Judge Garavan said this was outrageous and joked that he would have to get a placard and go on strike to highlight the unsatisfactory situation with early releases.
"He was put in last Wednesday and he was out on Friday. What is the point of me sitting here making judgment on cases? I'm wasting my time and so are gardai, but what about the people who are terrified of people like him [Mongan]?"
Last Wednesday, the court heard how Mongan broke a caravan window in front of a garda called to Hillside after Mongan had caused other damage. Garda Insp Stiofan O Cualain said Mongan had threatened staff in shops he had robbed of drink, food and other goods since his release.
Mr Fahy said Mongan had been drinking heavily since he was 16 years and had never received treatment.
"I will recommend that he receives treatment but I thought I had already done this," Judge Garavan added.
He sentenced Mongan to six months in jail on each of the new charges, all to run concurrently.