A psychiatric patient who deliberately got caught shoplifting to get residential treatment received a prison sentence yesterday. Alan O'Brien (27), of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty at Dublin District Court to stealing a £59 shirt from Brown Thomas on June 25th and £82 worth of cosmetics from Crazy Prices, Crumlin, on June 22nd.
Ms Fiona Brennan, defending, said O'Brien, who suffers from manic depression, had run out of family members to stay with since he stopped taking medication.
"He wanted to be remanded in custody in the hope that he would be transferred to the Central Mental Hospital. That is what happened. He is content with the situation and anxious that the court finalise matters today."
Judge Miriam Malone imposed a three-month sentence.