Kildare woman 'wants to be sent to prison', court hears
The case was heard at Athy Courthouse Photo: Aisling Hyland
“IT’S embarrassing,” said a judge, as he reluctantly agreed with the desperate plea of an addicted woman to jail her for a minor theft offence in the faint hope that she might get treatment whilst incarcerated.
Hayley Connell (34), with an address in Coney Meadow, Coneyboro, Athy was appearing in Athy District Court last week (13 October) for sentencing after pleading guilty to the theft of €80 worth of wash pods from Homesavers on Duke Street in Athy on 18 August.
However, Ms Connell’s wish soon became painfully obvious when her solicitor Jackie McManus revealed: “she came to my office this morning with her bag packed. She wants to be sent to jail”.
Familiar with both the defendant and her struggles with addiction, Judge Desmond Zaidan commented on how poorly she looked before contrasting her with her sister Jessie, who he had dealt with earlier from custody.
On that appearance Judge Zaidan noted how much healthier she was looking since her incarceration, as she was able to seek – and get – treatment while in the Dóchas Centre.
“She wants to go to jail like her sister, but I’m not sending her. This is shocking,” said the obviously frustrated judge initially.
“You got to get into treatment,” he said.
“It’s too hard!” said the defendant.
“Of course. To get into treatment, you have to be drug-free … but you look very unwell,” the judge reminded the court.
“She doesn’t want (Athy’s) Cuan Mhuire, she wants Coolmine because she’s been there before,” said Ms McManus, prompting Judge Zaidan to re-iterate a common complaint of his on this issue.
“What we need is for the press to keep the pressure on our legislators to change the law so that I can refer someone to rehab instead of just to jail,” he said.
“This is a shocking indictment on the state in that the only way she can get help like this is from jail”.
He conceded that a recent sea-change in public attitude – and the relevant legislative amendments - meant gardaí could now refer people found with ‘personal use’ drugs could be referred to the HSE rather than into the criminal system.
“This is shocking, depressing,” said the judge, quietly shaking his head.
“My heart and mind tell me jail is not the place for her, but I’m going to jail you … because Hayley is exactly where Jessie was nine months ago – with one foot in the grave.
“I’m sending her to prison for nine months for stealing wash pods, that will be the headline and they will miss the bigger issue behind it.
“Washing pods – it’s embarrassing…but I will assign a (€50) bail bond so if you sign it you’re out,” he offered.
“Nine months in the Dóchas Centre, then hopefully Coolmine.
“She has her bags packed, and is very grateful to the court,” said Ms McManus.
“She must serve her sentence in the medical wing of the Dóchas Centre,” ordered the judge.
