Derry man caught with €1,200 drugs package in Letterkenny

A Derry man has been fined in a Donegal court after being found in possession of over €1,200 worth of drugs.

Ryan McClelland was convicted at Letterkenny District Court on Monday.

Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that Gardai observed a vehicle drive through a busy area of pedestrians on March 16, 2023 at 11.40pm. Gardai spoke with the occupants of the vehicle and detected a strong smell of cannabis.

The car and the occupants were detained. When the vehicle was searched, a bag of cannabis was found.

McClelland, 27-year-old with an address at Carnhill, Derry, accepted ownership and was described as being cooperative with officers.

The court’s told that the value of the drugs was €1,220.

His barrister, Mr Gareth McGrory BL, said his client was not driving at the time. He said McClelland made full admissions and said the drugs, an estimated 61 grams, were intended to be sold to a friend.

McClelland, who has no previous convictions, is an unemployed single man who currently resides with his grandfather in Derry, Mr McGrory said.

Judge Éiteáin Cunningham said the quantity was ‘not insignificant’. Noting McClelland’s limited means, Judge Cunningham convicted him of possessing a controlled drug for the purpose of selling or otherwise supplying it and fined him €500, allowing five months to pay. A charge of possessing a controlled drug was marked as taken into account.