Two defendants have led 'very sad lives' due to drug addiction, says Cork judge

A District Court Judge said it was very sad to see the lives of addiction led by two men who came before the court on Friday on charges of travelling in a stolen car at Wilton in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Anthony O’Sullivan (39) of Araglen Court, Deanrock Estate, Togher, Cork, is charged with being a passenger in a stolen car at Wilton at around 5.30am on Thursday, September 25.

Gary Sheehan (35) of Hazel Road, Togher, Cork, faces the related charge driving the stolen car on the same occasion.

Garda Ken Lawton objected to bail being granted in both cases. 

Judge Mary Dorgan remanded them in custody and directed that they would get whatever medical attention is available to them in prison.

Diarmuid Kelleher solicitor said that both men had been on heroin substitutes to get off the drug but had stopped taking the substitutes and relapsed on to the drug itself.

Anthony O’Sullivan said in his bail application: “I don’t deny anything that guard said. But if I am getting remanded it’ll be to go on the floor (because of prison overcrowding). I got too cocky and came off the Suboxone thinking everything was OK. But with addiction, it is never OK.

"If I go back to prison I will be on the floor and back to square one.” 

Judge Mary Dorgan said: “He is very much in touch with the realities of his situation. The court has to balance the evidence it hears, including the garda concern he will commit more offences to feed his habit.” 

The judge refused bail and remanded both men in custody until October 2, directing they would get any medical assistance they need in prison on their admission.

Judge Dorgan said after the bail applications: “They have had very sad lives, very difficult lives, due entirely to addiction. It is very difficult to see how clearly unwell they both are here in court today.” 

Mr Kelleher told the judge that the two defendants would appreciate her comments.