Cannabis '˜grow house' found in Malin Head

The discovery at Ballygorman occurred on July 4th but details have only just emerged.

Inishowen Garda Superintendent Eugene McGovern told the ‘Journal’ that Gardai executed a search warrant at Ballygorman, Malin Head on 4th July and “discovered a growhouse for cannabis.”

He said the final amount seized was in the region of 90 cannabis plants with an estimated street/harvesting value of “somewhere in the region” of 72,000 euro.

Gardai also seized an amount of cultivated drugs which had been harvested and the value of these was in the region of 3,500 euro. Superintendent McGivern said these had been “prepared and were ready for the open market.”

One man, Juan Fitzpatrick, of Ballygorman, Malin Head, was arrested and charged with the alleged possession of cannabis and possession for sale or supply. Fitzpatrick (44), who is believed to be originally from Derry, appeared at a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court on July 5th. He was remanded on bail to appear at a sitting of Carndonagh District Court on September 20th and Gardai are awaiting directions on the matter from the Director of Public Prosectuions.