Co Armagh man, who accused Craigavon Hospital staff of 'touching kids', was found with cocaine in his possession

Terence Irvine Murray, aged 43, from Parkmore, Craigavon, appeared before Craigavon Magistrates Court for sentencing.

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He was previously convicted of disorderly behaviour in Craigavon Area Hospital, possessing cocaine and cannabis on October 1, 2024. He was also convicted of possessing cannabis on November 13, 2024.

The court heard that at 6.20am on October 1, 2024, police were tasked to the hospital due to a male causing a disturbance. On arrival they found Murray being restrained by security staff.

It was reported he had attacked hospital staff and used ‘foul and abusive’ language.

“He used various epitaphs at them like accusing them of touching kids etc, etc,” a prosecutor said.

After Murray was arrested and handcuffed, police found a bag of white powder during a search.

On November 13, 2024, police attended Murray’s home, when he lived in Dromore, on foot of a bench warrant for his arrest. Initially he didn’t allow police in and spoke with them through a window.

Police detected a strong smell of cannabis.

“Ultimately after many requests and refusals, they forced entry. He was arrested and a search uncovered cannabis. During interview he admitted it was cannabis but stated he had a prescription for it,” said the prosecutor.

Murray’s solicitor, Mr Philip Reid, said his client had been convicted in his absence in relation to the latter cannabis possession charge but no prescription was presented to the court.

Mr Reid said he had seen “something that seems to suggest he is on that programme”.

“It just couldn’t get him over the line and that’s why it was run on the papers and Your Worship convicted him,” he said.

The solicitor said Murray was arrested and de-arrested on October 31 last year on the day his father died.

“That’s had a significant impact on him,” he said.

"In fact what happened that day was he was assaulted. He was the one who phoned 999 to report the assault and then when police attended with him, this bag of white powder was found. I think he has been cautioned for that,” said Mr Reid.

"Since October 31 he has moved back with his mother. She is certainly a good influence on him, a stabilising influence and a good support. Since that there’s been no further police involvement whatsoever.

"He’s very candid about his difficulties and mental health and is on an engagement with mental health. He seems to have managed the alcohol. It’s really the drug issue,” said Mr Reid, adding he appreciated the incident on October 31 is a breach of the deferral.

He also confirmed that £400 had been lodged with the court for compensation to his victims at Craigavon Hospital.

District Judge Michael Ranaghan said: “You need to be very careful going forward, Mr Murray.”

For the disorderly behaviour and two common assaults at Craigavon Hospital, Murray was sentenced to five months in prison. For the Class A and Class B possession he was given a two months jail term – all concurrent and suspended for 18 months.

For cannabis possession he was given a two-month jail term suspended for 18 months, also concurrent.