Inishowen man in court on cocaine charges

An Inishowen man has appeared in court on drugs charges.

Martin Harkin was before Letterkenny District Court on Thursday.

Harkin was charged with being in possession of cocaine for the purpose of selling or otherwise supplying it to other persons on March 18, 2023.

The 23-year-old, of Main Street Muff, was also charged with possession of a controlled drug, cocaine. The court heard that the value of the cocaine was €132.

The accused made no reply when charged.

Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) directed that the matter be dealt with summarily in the District Court.

Solicitor for Harkin, Mr Pat McMyler, said a plea would be tendered and asked that the case be put back to the next sitting of Buncrana District Court.

Judge Deirdre Gearty accepted jurisdiction and adjourned the case until September 14.

Legal aid was granted to Mr McMyler, who said his client was currently unemployed. Members of Harkin's family accompanied him to court.

Sergeant Collins said the State would take a ‘certain view’ to one of the charges. “We won’t jump any fences yet,” Judge Gearty said, noting that the case was to be finalised on September 14.