A MAN collapsed in court yesterday after a judge said he must go to jail.
An ambulance was called to Limerick Circuit Court where Stephen Bourke (20), formerly of Monabraher Road, Ballynanty, Limerick, but now living in Co Clare, appeared before Judge Carroll Moran.
The man appeared to faint after Judge Moran activated 2½ years of a suspended jail term imposed in December 2008 after hearing evidence that the accused man had been convicted of further offences this year.
Court proceedings were halted as paramedics provided assistance to Bourke who was taken away by stretcher.
In 2008, Bourke received a three-year suspended sentence for his role in the attempted robberies of post offices in Garryowen and Clonlara.
The court heard yesterday that Bourke was convicted of further offences this year relating to a break-in at Newcastle West Autos, where a number of cars were damaged last March.
Evidence was given that Bourke travelled to the Co Limerick town with two other men and that gardaí were alerted after they received a call about a break-in to the garage. Bourke received a six-month sentence at Newcastle West District Court for his part in the crime, which occurred on March 25th last.
Yesterday counsel for the State, John O’Sullivan, sought to have the three-year suspended sentence, that was imposed in December 2008, activated.
Judge Carroll Moran agreed to activate part of the sentence and, taking into account the six-month jail term imposed by the District Court, he activated 2½ years of the suspended jail term.
After her son collapsed, Bourke’s mother, who was present in court, called for someone to get an ambulance.
Paramedics arrived and placed an oxygen mask on Bourke’s face before helping him on to a stretcher and taking him to hospital, accompanied by two members of Limerick’s prison service.