A TEENAGER who has 75 previous convictions and is serving more than two years in prison for numerous offences has been given further prison sentences totalling eight months this week.
However, Judge Mary Fahy explained that the maximum sentence Galway District Court could impose is two years. Moreover, as Frankie McDonagh (19), Sliabh Rua, Ballybane, is serving sentences totalling 25 months, she could not add to that and had to make the sentences imposed this week concurrent to those already being served.
McDonagh pleaded guilty to resisting arrest at Fana Glas, Ballybane, while extremely drunk on October 6th. He also pleaded guilty to breaking Garda David O'Connor's mobile phone as he tried to arrest him and to causing criminal damage by spitting on the driver's seat when he was eventually put into a Garda patrol car.
McDonagh also pleaded guilty to engaging in threatening, abusive and insulting words or behaviour on the same occasion which was likely to lead to a breach of the peace and to being drunk and a danger to himself and others.
Insp Seán Glynn said McDonagh had 75 previous convictions which went back to when he was a juvenile.
Judge Fahy sentenced McDonagh to five months in prison for resisting arrest and three months for spitting in the Garda car.
She took the breach of the peace into account and fined him €100 for being drunk in public. The judge directed the sentences begin immediately and run concurrently with the sentences McDonagh is already serving.