Derry man charged with possession of drugs and obstruction of police

A man on bail for a number of serious domestic offences has appeared at Derry Magistrates' Court charged with possession of drugs and obstruction of police.

Ruairi O'Neill (29) of Elaghmore Park in Derry was charged with, on January 6, possession of class C and class A drugs after police arrested him trying to get into a local bar.

He was also charged with, on October 3 last year, driving with no license or insurance, driving while unfit through drink or drugs and failing to stop for police after he narrowly avoided colliding with a police car when he pulled out in front.

The court heard police signaled for him to stop but he refused, eventually crashing the car.

The owner of the car was found and said that O'Neill did not have permission to drive it.

Following his arrest on January 6, he repeatedly gave a false name and date of birth to police until being identified at the police station.

While in custody, he repeatedly asked to go to the toilet and police said they found class A drugs on his person when they escorted him.

Police objected to bail as he is already on bail for a number of domestic abuse offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Defence Barrister Sinead Rogan said that O'Neill 'obviously has a problem with alcohol' but has a 'very limited record'.

She added that he has already served three months in custody and said that the current offences are 'not the most serious' he faces in court.

Bail was refused and he will appear again on January 29.