A teenage father of one, who is a recovering heroin addict and has spent the last four years involved in drug-fuelled petty thefts, has attained his 40th criminal conviction.

The Drugs Court in Dublin is to be expanded and made permanent following the success of the initiative during a five-year trial period.

FINE GAEL’S drugs spokesperson Fergus O’Dowd has proposed that drug courts be rolled out all over the country, following the success of a pilot project that has been operating in Dublin.

THE last year is the longest period of time Jason has been out of prison in the last 25 years.

GARDAÍ yesterday broke new ground when they advised heroin dealers of the treatment options open to them during their arrest.