Derry Court: Court told of 'serious concerns' as four drug related deaths in city in past three weeks

Derry Magistrate's Court heard today that there have been four drug related deaths in the city in the last number of weeks.

A police officer told that fact to the court during an appearance by a 29-year-old man on 17 drug charges.

The man was granted anonymity as District Judge Barney McElholm said he could 'be a target for certain type of people.'

The man is charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine, cannabis, Diazepam and Pregablin on dates between January 1 2019 and February 4 2023.

A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail.

He told the court that the defendant was suspected of being involved in the supply of drugs in the city since 2019.

He said in February 2021 police intercepted a parcel addressed to the defendant's address containing 168 Pregablin tablets.
Police arrested the man and seized drugs and 4 mobile phones.

Then in May 2021 police observed suspicious behaviour involving the defendant and another man and a box of Diazepam was found on the other man who was believed to have just left the defendant's flat.

Police found more drugs and what was described as 'a drug strap list.'

On February 4 this year police attended an address and discovered more drugs and mobile phones.

The defendant initially refused to provide the PIN code for the phone but eventually did.

Bail was opposed due to the risk of re-offending and the court was told that the defendant said he used crack cocaine and between 30 to 50 Diazepam a day.

He also admitted to being thousands of pounds in drug debt.

The officer said that police had 'serious concerns' as there had been four drug related deaths in the last three weeks in the city.

Defence counsel Eoghan Devlin said his client had made certain admissions.

He said that it was a case that was likely to go to the Crown Court and could take a while.

Judge McElholm said there was 'a very high risk of re-offending' as this man had a 'sizeable drug debt' and these were 'very dangerous drugs.'

The man was re remanded in custody to appear again on March 2.