Derry Court: Man found 'unresponsive' on Belfast-Derry bus allegedly in possession of 230 Diazepam

A man who was taken to hospital after being found 'unresponsive' on the Belfast to Derry bus was alleged to have had 230 Diazepam tablets Derry Magistrate's Court heard today.

The man who was granted anonymity due to the general threat existing in the city appeared charged with possessing Diazepam with intent to supply, possessing the drugs and being concerned in the supply of the drugs on June 14.

A police officer connected the accused to the charges and said he was'a convicted drug supplier' in the city and was currently on an enhanced combination order for drug supply.

The court was told that the man was taken to hospital unresponsive with blue colour around his mouth which the officer said was a sign of Diazepam use. 

While in hospital 230 Diazepam were said to have been found in his property and a mobile phone seized. 

The court heard that an initial examination of the phone revealed messages connected to drug supply but before it could be examined properly it locked.

When the defendant was discharged from hospital he was asked for the PIN code for his phone and initially refused. 

He later gave police a 4 digit PIN code but the officer said the phone needed a six digit code. 

Bail was opposed due to the risk of re-offending and an officer said the defendant had 'no regard for Court orders.'

Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that this was 'a difficult bail application' given the defendant's record and circumstances.

He said that the case would probably end up in the Crown Court and that could take some time. 

District Judge Barney McElholm said 'no PIN no bail' and remanded the man in custody to appear again on July 6.