A MAN who was jailed for seven years in 1994 for falsely imprisoning the wife and child of a psychiatrist, Prof Anthony Clare, in a tiny wardrobe has had his sentence suspended to enable him to have residential drug treatment.
Darren Kearns was released from prison by Judge Kieran O'Connor on condition that he be driven directly by his father to Coolmine Therapeutic Centre and that he remain resident there until he successfully completes the course.
Judge O'Connor said he would review the suspension again on July 15th next. "If you as much as put one foot outside Coolmine without authority you will go right, back to jail to finish the seven year sentence," he told Kearns.
He directed that Kearns enter into a bond to abide by the conditions of his suspension. "You have done very well so far, according to your reports. I now want to get even better reports of your progress."
Kearns (22), of St Mark's Grove, Dublin 22, pleaded guilty in 1994 to falsely imprisoning Mrs Jane Clare, her 10 year old daughter Justine, the Clare family housekeeper, Mrs Audrey Lett, and Mrs Lett's two year old daughter at Delville, Ballydowd, Lucan, on April 27th, 1993.
He also pleaded guilty to stealing two engagement rings valued, at £1,000 each and other property from Mrs"Clare on the same date.
He was jailed at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on April 14th, 1994 by Mr Justice Moriarty, who described the crime as "a most frightening and protracted experience" for the victims. He directed that Kearns should serve the equivalent of four years less remission before the case could be reviewed.
Det Garda John Connors told the court then that Kearns and another man who broke into the Clare residence used towels as masks. They were armed with a pool cue, a machete and a hockey stick.