Kildare man thanks judge for 11-month sentence

A MAN who pleaded for a sentence for a minor theft thanked the judge when he was eventually sentenced to 11 months in jail.

Matthew Rycroft (39) from Clonmullion, Athy was appearing in his local district court to plead guilty to the theft of two tents worth €160 and alcohol worth €70 from Aldi on the Monasterevin Road on 3 August last, as well as an assault charge on 14 February.

“I assume he stole the tents because he was homeless?” asked Judge Desmond Zaidan.

“Will you give me a prison sentence so I can get treatment? I can’t get anything out here,” Mr Rycroft pleaded with the judge from the off.

He was interrupted by Sergeant Dave Hanrahan, who wanted to complete listing the particulars of the offences before the defendant.

“The Section 2 assault, he pushed his ex against a fridge and then punched her in the back. She won’t make a victim impact statement and wants to drop all charges,” he said.

“Ironic that it was on Valentine’s Day,” said the judge. “What is love?” he mused.

Because of the guilty plea, the court got to learn that Mr Rycroft had 70 previous convictions, 22 of which were for burglary.

After an effusive and warm welcome to the bearpit of practice from the judge to Jackie McManus’s protégé Noel Leech on the day of his first appearance in Athy District Court, he said: “Now is your time to shine.”

“Judge, at the time of the offence, my client was taking crack cocaine,” said Mr Leech.

“I know it’s no excuse, but it gives an indication of his state of mind at the time,” he added.

“He is looking for a prison sentence, unfortunately, but that’s what it is,” said Mr Leech.

“It is wrong that there are not enough services in the state to help this man,” lamented the judge for the umpteenth time.

“This man is desperate and could commit self-harm if I don’t find him guilty, and in two or three days where he’s found dead, so I will give him his wish,” he said as he sent the defendant down for 11 months.

“Thanks, judge. I’ve spent more of my life in there than I have out here,” he revealed.