MOUNTJOY Prison is like a supermarket for drugs, a judge has claimed, after a young man told him he was a heroin addict when he went into prison and still had a drug problem when he came out two years later.

Judge Patrick McMahon said it was unfortunate but that Mountjoy was like a supermarket when it came to getting drugs.

The judge was speaking as he considered activating a suspended sentence for William Lennon (25), who claimed his heroin addiction was as bad when he left Mountjoy as it was when he entered.

The defendant pleaded with the judge not to send him back to prison, where drugs are readily available, saying he is now stabilised on methadone and focused on reducing his daily intake.

Lennon, of St Anthony's Park in Rialto, appeared before Blanchardstown District Court to allow Judge McMahon consider the activation of a suspended sentence.

In December 2008, the judge imposed a two -month sentence but suspended it for one year after Lennon pleaded guilty to stealing a car in Celbridge.

The matter was sent back to Judge McMahon to consider activating the sentence after Lennon admitted to possession of heroin and having the drug for sale or supply on Wellington Quay in March.

Defence lawyer Aoife O'Leary said Lennon is originally from the Fatima Mansions area of Dublin, and has struggled with a heroin addiction for years. The court heard that Lennon's older brother is also an addict, and is very ill at present.

Lennon received a four-year sentence in June 2007 for possession of a firearm, and Ms O'Leary said the defendant was still addicted to heroin when he came out of prison earlier this year.

Stabilised

She said Lennon was waiting eight weeks to get on to a methadone programme after his release from prison, and he continued taking drugs as he was unable to go 'cold turkey'.

Ms O'Leary said the defendant is now stabilised on methadone and is reducing his daily intake.

Judge McMahon said it was unfortunate that Mountjoy was like a supermarket for drugs, but agreed not to activate the suspended sentence.

The matter was adjourned to Tallaght District Court for sentencing on the Wellington Quay drugs matters.

hnews@herald.ie

- Eimear Cotter