Castledawson man took cannabis because he was depressed, court told

A young south Derry man said to have taken cannabis because he was depressed, was fined a total of £930 when he appeared at Magherafelt Magistrates Court on drugs charges.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Mar 2014, 18:00 BST
Magherafelt Courthouse.Magherafelt Courthouse.
Magherafelt Courthouse.

Matthew McQuillan (20), of Magherafelt Road, Castledawson, admitted possessing £10 worth of herbal cannabis found by police in a search of a property at Castledawson on January 9.

McQuillan also admitted possessing a class B on November 5 last year.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The case had been adjourned from a previous court for a pre sentence report.

Imposing the penalties, District Judge Bernie Kelly told McQuillan he would have to do something about his use of cannabis before it permanently damaged him.

Defence solicitor Stephen Atherton said McQuillan had been “shaken” by his court appearances and had enrolled for a course at college in Derry.

Mr Atherton said defendant had been drifting after leaving school and fell into a cycle of taking cannabis to avoid depression.

Judge Kelly remarked that taking cannabis would not help depression.

Related topics:Derry