Man being searched put phone in bucket

Garreth Lokko (26), who is currently serving a prison sentence with a release date in July, admitted obstructing a garda while his house was being searched last July 8.

The defendant, of Martello Mews, Flemington, Balbriggan, Co Dublin, had a total of 39 previous convictions, Balbriggan District Court heard.

Defence solicitor Fiona D'Arcy said Lokko had been incarcerated since before Christmas and was "feeling every second of it".

Blame

"He missed Christmas with his two children but has no one to blame but himself," she said.

"He has taken a good look at himself and desperately wants to turn his life around. He is using his time in prison wisely and is completing a certificate in welding.

"He is not proud of himself and wants to put criminality behind him."

Judge Dermot Dempsey said he would not increase his prison sentence but sentenced Lokko to one month to run concurrent to it.