Judge gives a chance to man who has ‘turned life around’
Judge Eoin Garavan said the defendant seemed to have 'completely changed his ways'.
A chef who was caught dealing drugs has avoided a prison term after the court heard that he had turned his life around.
Daragh Birrane, aged 24, formerly of Muredach’s Terrace, Ballina, but now residing in Glaslough, Co Monaghan, appeared before a sitting of Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court where he pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of a controlled drug with the intent to sell or supply it. He also appealed the severity of a District Court decision for a separate robbery offence.
On June 12, 2020, Gardaí received information that Birrane had drugs at his home in Ballina. The accused was not at home when a search was carried out but cocaine valued at €552 and a weighing scales were recovered.
Soon after the search took place, Gardaí observed Birrane and another male speaking to someone through a car window in the Libadore housing estate in Ballina. The accused was searched and a large bag of cocaine and three small wraps were found as well as €200 in cash. The cocaine had an estimated street value of €872.
Birrane also appealed the severity of a six-month sentence previously imposed in Ballina District Court following the violent robbery of a 63-year-old Roscommon man. The incident took place on Barrett Street, Ballina on September 7, 2018.
The injured party Gerry Macken told the court he entered Emmet’s Bar in Ballina earlier that evening. Mr Macken was living in Strokestown at the time and was visiting the area to look at mobile homes.
He left the pub to go to the ATM to settle his bar tab along with a female who brought Birrane with her.
As the trio walked back in the direction of Emmet’s bar, Mr Macken said he was struck on the head and it was "lights out". He was knocked to the ground and "woke up dazed". CCTV footage played in court showed Birrane striking Mr Macken who hit his head off a wall and fell to the ground. Mr Macken said €100 was taken from him but the female handed him €20 back. The female was also charged in the district court arising out of the incident.
Last week's circuit court hearing was told that Birrane had €2,000 in compensation for Mr Macken.
In a victim impact statement, Mr Macken said he would never forgive Birrane.
“I have nothing but anger and resentment towards him,” said the injured party.
Defending barrister Diarmuid Connolly read a letter of apology from his client.
“What I did was totally appalling and totally unacceptable,” he stated.
Mr Connolly said his client has been free from offending for two and a half years and has turned his life around.
He said Birrane has since become an award-winning chef having won the title of Best Young Chef in Connacht. Mr Connolly said the 24-year-old is currently employed at the prestigious Castle Leslie in Co Monaghan. Birrane is drug-free and has made “remarkable progress". The defendant said he had become involved in drug-dealing to feed his habit.
The court heard that Birrane has 15 previous convictions.
Judge Eoin Garavan said Birrane’s drug dealing was “blatant and obvious".
The judge condemned the robbery of Mr Macken as “nasty and cowardly". However, he noted how Birrane has turned his life around since qualifying as a chef.
“He seems to have completely and utterly matured and changed his ways,” Judge Garavan remarked. “I feel obliged to give this man a chance,” he added.
Mr Macken indicated that he would like to see the €2,000 in compensation go to charity and the Judge ordered Birrane to come up with another €5,000.
Judge Garvan imposed a two-year suspended sentence for the drug offence as well as the suspension of the District Court sentence.
