A SHOPLIFTER who hung on to a security man's leg with his teeth "like a mad dog" has been jailed for five years.
Robert Wall should be detained in the Central Mental Hospital to continue treatment for his psychiatric problem, Judge Cyril Kelly recommended at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Garda Henry Ainsworth earlier said he knew Wall for some years and he had become "more and more vicious" all the time. "I could deal with him at one time but not any more. He is now an increasing danger to the community," said Garda Ainsworth.
Judge Kelly said that when an experienced officer like Garda Ainsworth claimed a defendant was a danger to the community and it was backed up by evidence, the courts had a duty to act accordingly. "I, too, share the fear expressed by Garda Ainsworth in this case", Judge Kelly added.
Wall (21), of Rathsallagh Park, Shankill, Co Dublin pleaded guilty to five charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, larceny, criminal damage, and resisting a garda on October 1st, 1996 at Roche's Stores, Dun Laoghaire. He had 20 previous convictions.
Garda Ainsworth told Mr Carrol Moran, prosecuting, that after Wall was caught shoplifting a vicious melee followed. He bit one security man's lower leg and hung on with his teeth "like a mad dog". Wall then bit into the bone of a second security man's thumb with a sawing motion.
Wall's legs had to be tied to subdue him.
Garda Ainsworth said both security men had to undergo a long series of injections and treatment for fear they had contracted any disease.
Mr Raymond Farrell, defending, said Wall came from a broken home and had no formal education since he was 10 years old. He had been detained five times in the Central Mental Hospital but until recently had not responded to treatment.