Derry man fined after police find 375 tablets following minor car crash

A man has been disqualified and fined at Derry Magistrate's Court charged with a number of driving and drug offences.

Damian Cooley (44) of Woodbrook in Derry was charged with, on March 6 2023, possession of Class A & C drugs, possession of medication with intent to supply, resisting police, driving while unfit through drink or drugs, failing to report an accident, failing to stop at an accident, failing to remain at an accident and driving without due care and attention.

Police were initially at the scene of a minor two vehicle collision.

Cooley was said to have been abusive to the driver of the other car and it was reported that he appeared to be intoxicated.

When given a breath test, he provided a reading of zero but police subsequently searched his car and found a large number of tablets, including 135 Class C drugs and 240 prescription tablets.

Cooley then tried to get away from police, leading to the charges of resisting.

A urine test showed a number of different substances in his system, including various medications.

Defence barrister Fergal McCormack said that Cooley had been attempting to start a home business providing prescription medication for therapeutic purposes.

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He said that it stemmed from Cooley's own issues with addiction following a past serious injury and added that he accepts that he 'didn't behave properly' when the incident occurred.

District Judge Ted Magill said that Cooley had pleaded guilty to all charges and had 'never appeared before the court before'.

He described the damage in the crash as a 'very minor bump' and said that attempting to resist the police was 'very foolish'.

He was given a fifteen month disqualification and ordered to pay fines of £515.