OFFENDERS were giving the "Harvey Smith" sign to the courts and public because of early prison release, a judge said yesterday.
Judge Gerard Haughton said offenders were refusing to accept other penalties, such as community service or payment of compensation, because they know prison sentences would not be served. The way to ensure they stayed in jail was to remand defendants in custody.
Judge Haughton was speaking during tee case of a woman who has received early release eight times over 15 months. He noted that Vanessa Lynch (25), of Dorset Place, Dublin, had received sentences ranging from six months to one year between February 1994, and May 1995, yet had served an average of 19 days.
Lynch appeared in Dublin District Court yesterday for attempted robbery last April, criminal damage last October and, failure to appear in court. Judge Haughton said Lynch did not bother to co operate with the Probation Service.
He agreed with defence solicitor Mary Staines that Lynch was not to blame for her release and that it was the responsibility of the prison authorities. He imposed, consecutive sentences totalling two years and remanded Lynch in custody for one week on a charge of interfering with a car last January. "At least we know she will be in custody for a week, which will probably be for longer than the sentence I imposed."
