A 31-year-old man who appeared before a special court sitting after being detected with drugs, damaged a PSNI cell by writing an IRA slogan on the walls with excrement.
John Hegarty whose address was given as no fixed abode is charged with possessing, intending to supply and being concerned in importing Ketamine.
It is further alleged he was concerned in the production of opium and damaged a PSNI cell.
A police officer aware of the facts of the case told Dungannon Magistrates Court the charges could be connected.
He explained just after 10pm on 23 December police received an anonymous report that a male was traveling on a coach from Belfast carrying illegal drugs
A description of the male was provided and a person matching this was detained on disembarking the coach.
During a search he handed over a bag of white powder.
A further search recovered a lotus flower hidden in a pocket in his guitar bag and four empty, unused deal bags were located in a sock.
The suspected Ketamine weighed 15gms with an estimated street value of £675.
The other charge relates to the lotus flower which can be made into the Class A drug opium.
The officer stressed all seized materials are yet to be analysed as is Hegarty’s phone.
Having been arrested and placed in a cell, Hegarty is alleged to have used excrement to write ‘Tiocfaidh ár lá’ on the walls, leading to the criminal damage charge.
Objecting to bail the officer said, “The defendant might have been released on the drugs offences where it not for his circumstances. He has no address or ties to this jurisdiction. When initially stopped by police he gave false details. There is a risk of flight and I have no confidence he would return to court.”
A defence barrister confirmed Hegarty was travelling to Derry/Londonderry for “A social visit and all material in his possession was for his own use and not for further supply. He had various bits and bobs with him for his trip. He was just coming for the craic and to have a bit of fun, but it seems he was a bit too committed in doing so.”
He informed the court possession of the lotus flower itself was not illegal rather “it’s only further supply of material, so we would question the charge of production.”
Hegarty, it was contented, was in a position to put down a cash deposit on a rental property locally which he is confident he could source quickly if released.
But refusing bail, District Judge Steven Keown remarked, “His behaviour in police custody does not reassure me he would be someone who would be willing to abide by rules. The risk of flight is too great. The risk of reoffending is also in play and cannot be quantified until his phone has been analysed which will take some time.”
Hegarty will appear again by video-link next month.
by WrongdoerGold1683
14 comments
Bit shitty of him.
A lotus flower can be made into opium???
>He was just coming for the craic and to have a bit of fun, but it seems he was a bit too committed in doing so.”
😂
> Hegarty is alleged to have used excrement to write ‘Tiocfaidh ár lá’ on the walls, leading to the criminal damage charge.
Few decades ago, a man would had been rightfully held a hero for doing something like this.
Now they’re considered tramps. World has sadly gone mad.
Are there sinks in cells where one can wash one’s hands after creating excrement art?
[deleted]
His handwriting’s shite.
The republican movement is funded by heroin and ketamine. Fight on comrade, I’m sure ruining children’s lives with drugs will be worth it, united ireland whatever the cost.
He used the appropriate medium for the subject matter
Drug dealer seems confused about his own political views..
What a load of crap.
I grow lotus and poppies in my garden. Since when was having a flower illegal?
Not sticking up for the fella. He’s clearly a headcase.
“My Shite For Irish Freedom”
Why can’t people give it a dam rest just for a few days plz
Yeah but did he spell it correctly?
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