Judge blames drink and drugs for crime problems

Drugs and alcohol consumption are to blame for Ireland’s crime problem, a judge declared today.

While presiding at the Dublin Children’s Court in the case of a teenage drug addict, who he sentenced to six months in St Patrick’s Institution for a phone snatch, Judge Sean McBride said: "Drugs and alcohol are the main component in the crime rates."

The boy, aged 17, had 18 previous convictions for assaults, car thefts, vandalism and public order breaches, the court heard.

Defence counsel Ms Majella Walsh BL, had told the court that the boy had admitted his role in the phone theft which occurred on Talbot Street on March 15 last.

She said the boy had developed difficulties after the death of his mother, and his father had been unable to be a strong influence on him.

The boy then became a drug addict. However, he is eager to seek treatment and quit drugs, she said.

Sentencing the boy to six months in St Patrick’s Institution, Judge McBride said he noted the boy’s history of convictions as well as his addiction which he said showed a pattern of drug fuelled crimes.

He directed that the teenager should be given addiction treatment while in custody and a plan should be drawn up to keep the boy drug-free upon his release from custody.

"I will recommend that you get drug treatment and for an after-care plan to be established, in the hope that you will give up drugs and live a worthwhile life," he told the youth.