Offaly man seeking addiction treatment is 'giving it a go' say judge

'All drugs in my face again' after release from prison, Tullamore Circuit Court hears

Published 28th Apr 2026, 12:00 BST Updated 1st May 2026, 10:05 BST Man appeared before Tullamore Circuit Court 'All drugs in my face again' after release from prison, Tullamore Circuit Court hears Sign up to our Offaly Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Offaly Live within your account.

A MAN who is subject to a suspended sentence was brought before Tullamore Circuit Court because he had not been engaging properly with the Probation Service.

David Daly (21), Cloncollig, Tullamore, had previously been convicted of violent disorder.

The Circuit Court was told he had been a co-accused with three others and had been involved because he wanted to defend another male.

Dylan Kavanagh, probation officer, said Mr Daly had been released from prison in April last year and for a period had been getting on very well with the Probation Service and was seeking employment.

Then in September 2025 his engagement declined and he started missing appointments, Mr Kavanagh told Judge Ronan Munro.

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The probation officer said the man had “relapsed” and from October 2025 to February 2026 there was no engagement with the service at all.

The court was told the man had difficulties with drugs and was effectively homeless because he was couch surfing with anti-social peers.

Mr Kavanagh said Mr Daly told him that he had a relapse with tablets and cocaine and cross examined by David Nugent, BL, defending, he stated the man said he had an appointment coming up with the Cuan Mhuire addiction treatment centre.

In his own evidence Mr Daly said he had organised that appointment himself and he would be going to Cuan Mhuire in Athy to see if he was eligible for a bed.

Mr Nugent told the court there would be a treatment programme of up to 13 weeks in Cuan Mhuire with after care.

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Mr Daly said he had got the required doctor's letter and recalled that previously he “went nearly psychotic on coke”.

His recent difficulties started when he was released from prison. “When I got out all the drugs were in my face again,” he told Judge Munro.

The judge said it appeared to him that Mr Daly was “giving it a go” but he needed to know there was a plan for the man and he remained deeply sceptical.

Mr Daly said the plan was that he needed to get help and he was trying to change the path he was on.

Judge Munro adjourned the matter to April 30 for an update on Mr Daly's efforts to get treatment.

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