Teen sentenced over burglary at Merlin drug treatment unit

Galway Bay fm newsroom – A 17-year old has been sentenced to two years in prison, with the final year suspended for burglary at an addiction treatment centre in the city last year. The teenager who has an alcohol addiction and who cannot be named due to his age, appeared before Galway Circuit Criminal Court. He was part of a group who burned down the centre but he denies having any role in setting fire to the building. The teen pleaded guilty at Galway Circuit Criminal Court to a charge of burglary at the Community Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centre, situated in an isolated area of Merlin Park Woods, Galway, on September 29, 2013. Garda Emma Kerins told the sentence hearing she and two colleagues were on patrol at 2am when they found the building engulfed in flames. She said the accused admitted going in and out of the building that night without permission and taking biros and markers. He denied setting fire to the building but would not name the people who did. Defence barrister Geri Silke said the youth had a serious addiction to alcohol and he would benefit from addiction treatment counselling while in custody. Jude O'Donnell sentenced the youth to two years' detention and he suspended the final year of the sentence with conditions. The post Teen sentenced over burglary at Merlin drug treatment unit appeared first on Galway Bay FM.