Man who trashed Donegal hotel room found with drugs

A man who trashed a room of a Donegal hotel while at a wedding was found in possession of drugs.

Daniel McColgan told Gardai that he was 'looking for a bag of cocaine' when they came to investigate.

Gardai were called to the Villa Rose Hotel in Ballybofey on June 2, 2022 with management reporting that a male resident had damaged a room.

McColgan was found to have caused damage to a bed base, a TV remote, a glass on top of a locker, a pint glass and a stained mattress.

Damage estimated at €250 was caused.

McColgan, a 27-year-old with an address at Lis na Finn Park, Strabane, was spoken to by Gardai.

McColgan was subsequently searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act and was found in possession of €60 worth of cocaine and €17 worth of cannabis.

Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that McColgan made full admissions when interviewed.

The accused had told Gardai that he was looking for a bag of cocaine as he damaged the room.

“That was said in jest,” McColgan's solicitor, Mr Patsy Gallagher, said.

Mr Gallagher said his client was employed as a scaffolder and works in Cork. The court heard that McColgan has no previous convictions.

For the criminal damage, McColgan was fined €250 and given five months to pay, while he was convicted and fined €150 for the possession of cocaine.

Judge Éiteáin Cunningham marked the possession of cannabis as taken into account.