Father and son fined for cultivating cannabis

Kenneth Samuel Murphy (42), whose address was given as Clooney Mews, Londonderry was charged with permitting the production of Class B drug, cultivating cannabis and obstructing police.

His son, Jason Samuel Murphy (18) of Dunluce Street, Portrush, was also found guilty of cultivating cannabis, possessing Class B drugs, assaulting police and resisting arrest.

The court heard that at 2am on October 11 last year officers entered the property on Dunluce Street. A fortified door delayed the officers entry into the premises, but when they finally did gain access they were confronted by an angry dog.

Murphy senior was asked to restrain the dog, which he eventually complied with.

Officers said there was a strong smell of cannabis in the house and during their search they found drugs, drugs paraphernalia and a cultivating unit.

They also found a trail of soil leading to a skylight window. Three cannabis plants were later found on the ground outside the property.

Two further plants were also found in an enclosed garden belonging to the house.

Whilst the search was continuing Jason Murphy arrived at the property. He became aggressive towards the officers and threw a half empty bottle of Jack Daniels at them.

Both men were subsequently arrested but they denied any knowledge of the cannabis plants. Jason Murphy, however, admitted possession of Class B drugs.

A solicitor said that Kenneth Murphy, who has 170 previous convictions dating back to 1982, is currently serving an eight month sentence, which he received in November last year.

Whilst he awaited sentencing he moved to these premises in Portrush up until it was raided in October.

The defence called the drugs operation 'unsophisticated' and said that there was no suggestion that it was a production line for selling big amounts of cannabis.

The solicitor said that following Murphy senior's release in August this year he will be on probation for two years and his future will be bleak if he is brought back before the courts.

District Judge Mr Richard Wilson, fined Murphy 750 and asked him was it “not about time he hung up his boots?”

In relation to Jason Murphy, defence said the 18-year-old had now served 104 days on remand following the incident and that he is now planning to join up again with the Royal Logistics Corp.

In fining Murphy junior 750, Mr Wilson told him that he would be well advised not to be back before the court again.