Bail refused to accused of being '˜actively involved' in drug supply

Emmet Ryan Donaghy, of Amelia Court, is charged with being concerned in the Diazepam and conspiracy to possess the Class C drug with intent to supply.

The 31-year-old is further charged with possessing Diazepam with intent to supply and attempted possession with intent to supply.

The offences were allegedly committed on May 7.

Derry Magistrate’s Court heard the allegations are ‘complex’ and involve drugs packages being posted into Northern Ireland.

Donaghy is one of four people charged in connection with these packages.

Royal Mail intercepted a package addressed to the defendant’s home which contained 1,400 Diazepam tablets. Two days later staff in the sorting office intercepted a further package addressed to a co-accused.

This contained 1,600 tablets and is believed to have been sent from the same location.

Police searched Donaghy’s home and it is alleged a number of empty Diazepam packages were found.

Officers also allegedly discovered packages which had been posted from the same location as the intercepted ones.

Opposing bail, an investigating officer told the court police believe the 31-year-old is ‘actively involved’ in drugs offences.

She also revealed that Donaghy has a previous drugs conviction and police fear he will commit further offences.

Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said in the previous drugs case, it was accepted his client had played a lesser role.

He told the court Donaghy received a suspended sentnece for this.

However, District Judge Barney McElholm said ‘various people are involved at various levels in supply of drugs but everybody plays a part.

The judge refused bail because he has ‘severe doubts about further offending’.

He added: ‘On the face of it, it looks like this is a well organised importation business.

“I have to deal with people who are now Heroin fiends, they are on class C drugs and it leaves them a complete blight on the rest of society’.

Donaghy was remanded in custody to appear in court again on June 30.