ADDICTS JAILED FOR ROBBERY ADVISED TO STAY DRUG-FREE

Judge Kieran O'Connor advised two addicts to help each other remain
drug-free when he jailed them for terms of nine and eight years for robbery.

Stephen Power and Paul Furlong are to return to Dublin Circuit Criminal
Court on June 28th, 1999, and if both are drug-free for six months and have
pursued an educational course in prison, they may be released.

Judge O'Connor told them: "Your future is in your own hands now. Compare
notes about how stupid you both have been in taking drugs, but I'm giving
you both a huge incentive to either become decent citizens or serve the full
sentences."

Power (28), of Ballyfermot Road, Ballyfermot, was jailed for nine years for
taking A350 at syringe-point from a local shop during a robbery on March
18th, 1997. Furlong (29), of Tyrone Place, Inchicore, was jailed for eight
years for attempted robbery of a petrol station shop on July 26th, 1997.

Det Sgt Gabriel O'Gara told prosecuting counsel, Mr Brendan Mulhall, that
the female shop assistant recognised Power, as he was a regular customer.
She opened the till for him after seeing the syringe needle and was very
shocked at the experience.

Sgt Patrick Crowne told Mr Mulhall that Furlong asked for a packet of crisps
in the service station shop and then jumped up on the counter but could not
get the electronic till open. He ran off empty-handed but was held by a
nearby pub bouncer who heard the female assistant's screams.

The defence counsel for both men, Mr Luigi Rea, said their cases were very
similar, with drug addiction at the root. Both were fathers of young
children and accepted they needed help to rid themselves of the
psychological craving for drugs.

Checked-by: "Rolf Ernst"