Strabane man convicted after cocaine found in Lifford search

A Strabane man caught in possession of seven grams of cocaine in Lifford has been convicted in court.

Richard Lindsay was not present when his case was called at Letterkenny District Court this week.

Lindsay, a 33-year-old with an address at Patrick Street, Strabane, was charged in connection with an incident on April 22, 2023.

Gardai swooped on a premises at Cavan Hill, Lifford on the date in question and executed a search warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Detective Garda Eimear Hassett told the court that Lindsay was present and was searched under the provisions of the search warrant.

Two plastic bags were found on his person. One of the bags contained three smaller bags holding suspected cocaine. The other bag contained four smaller bags of suspected cocaine.

A total of seven grams of cocaine was located.

Lindsay was cautioned by gardai and estimated that he had 'five or six grams' on him and said the drug was for his own use.

Lindsay told gardai that he had paid £500stg for the cocaine and that he was addicted to the drug.

Sergeant Maurice Doyle told the court that Lindsay outlined that he purchased the cocaine in Northern Ireland and denied supplying it to anyone else.

Analysis confirmed that the substance was cocaine.

Lindsay was not present and had no legal representation at Letterkenny District Court.

In his absence, Judge Éiteáin Cunningham found the facts proven.

While noting that Lindsay had no previous convictions, Judge Cunningham said she had to be cognisant of the nature of the drug and the amount of it found

Lindsay was convicted and fined €750 with six months to pay.