A LIMERICK man who was “caught up in the Dale Farm incident” in the UK has appeared in Limerick District Court after gardai found him in a “state” at 3.30am on Henry Street
where he was said to have been highly intoxicated.
Garda evidence was given in court that the accused man, 30-year-old Alan Hanley, was abusive and intoxicated on the street on September 4 last. He was later arrested after initially resisting gardai and their directions.
Evidence was also given that the accused was intoxicated on Glentworth Street on July 8 last and when directed to leave the area he refused to do so. He was later arrested.
Judge Eamon O’Brien heard that the accused had previous convictions for witness intimidation where he received a three year suspended sentence as well as previous convictions for threats to kill and other public order matters. In all, the court heard that Alan Hanley had 30 previous convictions.
Sarah Ryan, solicitor for the accused told the court that her client apologised for being drunk and disorderly and that he had consumed a large quantity of drink and tablets.
At this point, the accused interjected and said to Judge Eamon O’Brien; “I was in a bad way your honour, I was taking all kinds of tablets…anything I could get in a box”.
His solicitor told the court that her client had “up to recently, resided at the Dale Farm camp” and was “in a bad way there”, but recently returned from there after police raids following alleged breaches of human rights and criminal activity of keeping refugees and homeless people against their will.
Judge Eamon O’Brien said that Alan Hanley needed to attend Rehab for his addictions and convicted and sentenced the accused to five months in prison but suspended it for a period of two years on the basis that he be on good behaviour and attend regular rehabilitation.
Photo by Susan Craig-Greene, AP Peace Fellow, 2010.
