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22 Apr 2026
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22 Apr 2026
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Derry Magistrate's Court
A Mayo man has appeared at Derry Magistrate's Court charged with drunk in charge of avehicle and possession of Class A drugs.
Michael Cleary (37) of Loughmass in Mayo was charged with the offences that occurred on April 20 after police observed a van parked outside a business in Strathfoyle.
Police spoke to Cleary, who was the driver, and his brother and both were said to appear intoxicated.
Upon searching the vehicle, police found a number of empty beer bottles and a small amount of Class A drugs in the driver's side.
Cleary and his brother told them that they were camping in the van and both were arrested, with Cleary giving a breath reading of 42mgs.
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Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said that Cleary and his brother had driven to Derry from Mayo and had rucksacks in the back of the van with the intention of sleeping there that night before going home the following day.
He described Cleary as 'an unemployed mechanic' who has been driving for fifteen years with 'no blemishes' on his record.
He also said that the Class A drugs simply 'a trace amount' that was only for personal use.
Cleary was ordered to pay £300 in fines and given ten penalty points.
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