A DUTCH heroin addict who smashed a government office window to get treatment is to receive £800 from a court "poor box" for private care. Ms Daphne van Denberg (28) caused £1,500 damage to social welfare offices at Gandon House, Amiens Street, Dublin, on April 13th so she would be put into custody.
Her solicitor, Mr James Sweeney, told Dublin District Court his client was "despondent" after spending a month in jail and had no faith in getting treatment. Efforts were being made to get a Dutch firm to sponsor a two year private course at a centre in Cork, which would cost £7,200.
The court heard Ms van Denberg, a native of Amsterdam, had been living on the streets of Dublin and could not pay any compensation for the window.
Garda Eamon Barry said that if the defendant was released, she would go back to using drugs, as she said she missed them.
Judge Joseph Mangan said he had the option of effectively deporting her back to Holland but would donate money if she genuinely wanted treatment.
Ms Van Denberg said she could not face "all the hurt" she had in Holland and her family did not want anything to do with her because of the drugs.
She said she wanted to go to the La Patriach Centre, in Skibbereen, Co Cork, but was afraid she would not complete the programme and it would be a waste of money.
Judge Mangan was told the Southern Health Board recognised the centre, and he agreed to donate £800 to cover assessment and a one month stay. He remanded the defendant in custody until this afternoon so that transport could be arranged.