http://web.archive.org/web/20130202030423/http://ssristories.com/show.php?item=4094

Paragraph eight reads: "Pointing out that his client had no previous convictions, defence solicitor Louis Kiernan said that the incidents were 'out of character'. "

"He said that during the time of the offences, Mr. Duff, who lives at home with his mother and sister, was on medication for depression."

SSRI Stories Note: The Physicians Desk Reference states that antidepressants can cause a craving for alcohol and alcohol abuse. Also, the liver cannot metabolize the antidepressant and the alcohol simultaneously, thus leading to higher levels of both alcohol and the antidepressant in the human body.

http://www.westmeathexaminer.ie/news/roundup/articles/2010/03/31/3995954-probation-report-sought-for-dalton-park-man-22/

Probation report sought for D'Alton Park man

A man who appeared at last Thursday's sitting of Mullingar District Court for public order offences has been told that he will face at least four months in prison if he comes to further Garda attention between now and November.

Jason Duff (22), 161 D'Alton Park, Mullingar, pleaded guilty to being intoxicated and engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour at both Castle Street (February 7, 2010) and Pearse Street, Mullingar (October 26, 2009).

Garda Gareth O'Brien told the court that on the morning of February 7 of this year, at Castle Street he saw Mr. Duff walking around with his top off, and "acting in an aggressive manner".

Evidence was also heard from Inspector Jarlath Folan, who said that on October 26 of last year, Mr. Duff was arrested at 2.20pm after he was observed in an intoxicated state at the taxi rank on Pearse Street.

Inspector Folan said that Mr. Duff was involved in an altercation with members of the public, was "roaring and shouting" and shaking his closed fist.

Garda O'Brien said that in both instances, Mr. Duff had been socialising with the people he had been showing aggression to.

Pointing out that his client had no previous convictions, defence solicitor Louis Kiernan said that the incidents were "out of character".

He said that during the time of the offences, Mr. Duff, who lives at home with his mother and sister, was on medication for depression.

"It was a case of the alcohol not mixing well with the medication," the solicitor said, handing in character references from Mr. Duff's course facilitators and his local football team.

"He's very embarrassed," Mr. Kiernan continued.

"And he's not likely to engage in this kind of behaviour again."

The solicitor asked the judge to give Mr. Duff a second chance by way of a review of his behaviour over the coming months.

"It's an opinion the court has expressed on a number of occasions," Judge Neilan said to Mr. Duff, "but I am strongly of the opinion, or have a strong suspicion that you are using not only alcohol, but illegal substances such as cannabis or ecstasy."

The judge said that people have been drinking "for millennia", but only in the past 25 or 30 years has "this kind of vicious and vindictive behaviour" has emerged.

"I am of the opinion that you are dabbling in drugs," he continued.

"You knew on October 26 that you were presenting problems, and yet you're back in the marketplace doing the same thing again."

"You're a student. Where do you get the money?" he asked.

"From my mum," the defendant replied.

Judge Neilan ordered a probation report for Mr. Duff, and told him that he will go to the Midlands Prison for "not less than four months" if he comes to further Garda attention.

He told Mr. Duff - who is currently attending an acting course - that he "wouldn't get into any country of consequence, like America, Canada or Japan" with a criminal record.

"How many times prior to October 26 did you come to Garda attention?" the judge asked. "How many times were you warned before you were arrested?

"You're on notice now regarding that and these offences, and I'm seeking a probation report for November 11, 2010. That's Remembrance Day.

"The court is here to assist you and motivate you Mr. Duff, but at the end of the day, it's your decision."

Mr. Duff's legal aid remained in place, but Judge Neilan wondered why, if his mother could hand him "wads of money", she couldn't come to court to "pay his legal fees".

"I have a duty to protect taxpayers' money in this regard," the judge concluded.