*Limerick prison cell
A JUDGE has told a 20-year old east Clare man that if he is sent to prison it will not particularly pleasant where he will have to share a prison cell with three other men.
At Killaloe District Court sitting in Ennis, Judge Alec Gabbett told Adrian Kelly of Teerana, Kilkishen
“this is your last chance, this is it” after hearing that he has not cooperated with the Probation Service.
Mr Kelly – who has no previous convictions – has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and a cocaine dealing offence from July of last year.
Judge Gabbett told Mr Kelly “you are a very young man and you are not taking this seriously at all. I have grounds to put you into custody today for 24 months the way you have behaved. This is two years of your life which will be taken away from you”.
He added: “I don’t relish doing that and I don’t want that for you. You are not cooperating with the Probation Service which is a service there to help you avoid custody.”
Against the background of continued overcrowding at Limerick prison where the prison on Wednesday had 38 prisoners sleeping on mattresses and was at 121% capacity, Judge Gabbett said that being in prison at the moment “is not particularly pleasant at the moment where you would be sharing a cell with three men. It is not a very easy thing to do – not pleasant”.
Judge Gabbett told Mr Kelly “you are putting yourself in there because you are not giving me any other option”.
Judge Gabbett said: “It is not hitting home at all the seriousness of the offences.”
In the case, Mr Kelly has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving at Knockadoon, Tulla and having cocaine for the sale and supply in his car at Tuamgraney filling station on July 26th 2025, contrary to Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Outlining the facts in the case in court last November, Det Sgt Denis Stack said that Mr Kelly took at speed towards the east Clare village of Bodyke where traffic had reduced to one lane due to a stop go system in place.
He said that Mr Kelly overtook three or four cars and drove against oncoming cars which had to take evasive action and he said that he ceased the pursuit due to the recklessness of Mr Kelly’s driving.
Det Sgt Stack stated that the following day at Tuamgraney filling station he recognised Mr Kelly as the driver from the previous day.
Det Sgt Stack stated that during the course of a search of Mr Kelly’s car, a quantity of white powder was discovered along with weighing scales and some deal bags.
Judge Gabbett said that thankfully there was no collision and no damage during the dangerous driving incident.
Solicitor, Stiofán Fitzpatrick told Judge Gabbett said that since the November court date, Mr Kelly has sat the Garda Lifesaver driving course.
Mr Fitzpatrick said that the Probation Officer is willing to grant his client another appointment to see if he can grasp or comprehend what is going on.
Mr Fitzpatrick said that Mr Kelly “is very young and has never come before the court before”.
Judge Gabbett adjourned the case to January 28th to Ennis District Court to allow Mr Kelly to have further engagement with the Probation Service.
