Paddy Leonard, 16 Jun
A man who was taken to hospital after being found 'unresponsive' on the
Belfast to Derry bus was alleged to have had 230 Diazepam tablets Derry
Magistrate's Court heard today.
The man who was granted anonymity due to the general threat existing in
the city appeared charged with possessing Diazepam with intent to
supply, possessing the drugs and being concerned in the supply of the
drugs on June 14.
A police officer connected the accused to the charges and said he was'a
convicted drug supplier' in the city and was currently on an enhanced
combination order for drug supply.
The court was told that the man was taken to hospital unresponsive with
blue colour around his mouth which the officer said was a sign of
Diazepam use.
While in hospital 230 Diazepam were said to have been found in his
property and a mobile phone seized.
The court heard that an initial examination of the phone revealed
messages connected to drug supply but before it could be examined
properly it locked.
When the defendant was discharged from hospital he was asked for the
PIN code for his phone and initially refused.
He later gave police a 4 digit PIN code but the officer said the phone
needed a six digit code.
Bail was opposed due to the risk of re-offending and an officer said
the defendant had 'no regard for Court orders.'
Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that this was 'a difficult bail
application' given the defendant's record and circumstances.
He said that the case would probably end up in the Crown Court and that
could take some time.
District Judge Barney McElholm said 'no PIN no bail' and remanded the
man in custody to appear again on July 6.