Teen with 44 convictions ‘a loose cannon’ on alcohol

A Killarney man was “a loose cannon” when he consumed alcohol, Killarney District Court has heard.

Already with 44 previous convictions, Con Ryan was yesterday sentenced to 15 months in jail for damaging the glass door at the award- winning Killarney Railway station and for possession of a knife on another occasion.

Ryan, aged 18, of Doirin Alainn, Killarney, appeared in custody at the district court, his High Court bail having been earlier revoked.

On April, 9, he damaged the glass door of the Killarney Railway station causing €500 damage, and he had a pen-knife in his possession on December 20, Killarney District Court heard. Ryan pleaded guilty to the charges, and to a burglary.

He suffered a traumatic experience as a child, which was the cause of his alcohol problems, the court heard.

“He is a loose cannon when he has consumed alcohol,” said his solicitor, Padraig O’Connell.

Judge James O’Connor imposed a total sentence of 15 months, and refused to suspend part of it. However, he backdated the sentence to January 3, from when Ryan has been in custody.

The 18-year-old has also been sent forward for trial on a charge of taking the keys of a Mercedes car on March 1 at Balydribbeen, Killarney.