Defendant asks judge for more time in prison to 'keep his head down'

"He said that the defendant is "doing well in prison" and that the man feels it is a safer place for him. Mr McGarry said that his client seems "completely institutionalised". He said that his client wants to extend his prison sentence in order to spend more time rehabilitating himself and completing courses within the prison system. He said that prison courses take time for people to get enrolled in and complete, and a release would disrupt this process."

"The man pleaded guilty in the District Court to breaching a safety order contrary to section 33(1) of the Domestic Violence Act 2018. He was convicted and sentenced to ten months in custody before later lodging an appeal against his sentence. The maximum sentence for this offence is 12 months in prison. Garda Mark Carey told the District Court Appeals Court that he responded to a call at an address in Leinster on August 18 after a report of a breach of a safety order. He said he spoke to the appellant and arrested him at 1.30pm for the breach. He said the man was later charged and he made no reply to caution. Gda Carey said that the man has 56 previous convictions, including those for assault and criminal damage."

A man pleaded guilty to breaching a safety order contrary to section 33(1) of the Domestic Violence Act 2018 and was sentenced to ten months' custody, with a maximum available sentence of 12 months. Garda Mark Carey arrested him at 1.30pm on August 18 after a report of a breach and said the man later made no reply to caution. The man has 56 previous convictions, including assault and criminal damage. The defence requested an increased sentence so the man could remain in prison to complete courses and rehabilitate, saying he feels safer and is completely institutionalised. The judge noted the early guilty plea as a mitigating factor.

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