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07 Jan 2026

Man suspected by police of importing drugs into the North charged with breaching bail

Ethan Irvine (27) of Rosses Gate in Derry was breached because he was caught driving on the Foyle Bridge on January 4 on his own and his bail conditions stipulate he can only travel in a vehicle driven by his partner

£250,000 fraud case involving Donegal woman adjourned at Derry Magistrate's Court

Derry Magistrates' Court

Reporter:

Court Reporter

05 Jan 2026 2:30 PM

Email:

news@derrynow.com

A man suspected by police of being involved in bringing drugs from the Republic into the North has appeared at Derry Magistrates' Court for breaching his bail. 
Ethan Irvine (27) of Rosses Gate in Derry was breached because he was caught driving on the Foyle Bridge on January 4 on his own and his bail conditions stipulate he can only travel in a vehicle driven by his partner. 
A police officer said that Irvine is on bail in connection with class A and B Drugs.
He said police believed Irvine was linked 'to an organised crime gang' bringing drugs into the North. 
The officer said that two hotel keys from an hotel in the Republic were also found in the vehicle and police were awaiting CCTV to find out who checked in and if it was the defendant that would be another charge.
Defence solicitor Derwin Harvey said that the breach was accepted and came about because Irvine's partner who is pregnant did not want to travel on the icy roads and he wanted to check on an elderly relative. 
He said the defendant had been on police bail for 16 months without a breach.
The solicitor said that Irvine made a 'foolish' decision to drive.
As regards the hotel keys Mr Harvey said they had been used by the defendant's partner and her sister.
District Judge Oonagh Mullan re-released Irvine on bail but added a tagging condition. 
He will appear again on January 21.

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