Man charged with series drugs offences remanded at Derry Magistrates' Court

A man currently on bail for drug charges with a condition he is not to take any drugs, 'failed a field impairment test miserably ' when police called to his address Derry Magistrates' Court heard today. 

The man, who has been granted anonymity on the original charges, faced new charges as well as two breaches of bail that were said to have occurred on January 18 and 27.

He was charged with allowing his premises to be used for smoking cannabis on dates between January 24 and January 27 as well as a charge of possessing cannabis. 

He was further charged with being concerned in an offer to supply cocaine, cannabis and Xanax on dates between January 1, 2024 and March 12, 2024.

A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail and told the court that on a January 18 the defendant spent four days in hospital after an overdose.

He was also noticeably intoxicated when police called on January 27.

The court heard that the man's premises were in 'disarray ' and drug paraphernalia was openly on display. 

Bail was opposed due to the defendant having 130 previous convictions with 36 of them for drug offences. 

The police officer said that the defendant was a clear risk to himself and a clear risk of breaching bail. 

Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said his client was well aware drugs could kill.

District Judge Oonagh Mullan said the man had been granted bail relatively recently. 

She said the defendant had a drug addiction problem that he had not addressed. 

Bail was refused and the defendant was remanded in custody to appear again on February 13.