Man admitted supplying drug to friend at house party

Odhran Keith Thomas Doey from Ard Na Small, Dungiven, admitted charges of possessing the class A drug and supplying it to another on June 13 last year.

Passing sentence, Deputy District Judge Noel Dunlop remarked that the Probation report he had read on the defendant had been “very positive”.

Mr Dunlop warned the defendant that if he committed further offences over the next two years, he could serve a custodial sentence.

He made an order for the destruction of the seized cocaine amounting to approximately 12 grammes.

Prosecuting counsel said on June 13 last, police on mobile patrol at Union Street car park observed Doey walk towards flats.

He said he was spotted handing a package to another male on the balcony and police later carried out a search of the flats and located Doey in the area of the sink.

Counsel said he was searched and bags containing white powder were recovered from his pocket.

He admitted to police that he had given a male a bag containing cocaine, the lawyer added.

Defence solicitor Stewart Ballentine said Doey was with his parents in his office and they had been “very disappointed” by his behaviour.

He referred to “a glowing personal reference” from the defendant’s employer which he asked the court to consider.

Mr Ballentine stressed Doey regretted ever getting involved and has now severed all links to the company he was keeping at the time.

He said it wasn’t the normal kind of supply case the courts were used to dealing with.

The solicitor said he was supplying friends within a group at a party and there were others involved.

“He is really the fall guy in this and I would ask the court to accept this,” he said.

Mr Ballentine said Doey had matured since the incident and has a supportive family.

“It is very unlikely you will see this young man before the court again,” he went on. “Hopefully he can put this matter behind him.”

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