Derry judge warns anyone convicted of dealing drugs will receive custodial sentence

A judge at Derry Crown Court has said that anyone convicted of dealing drugs in the city will receive a custodial sentence.

Judge Neil Rafferty KC was speaking as he imposed a prison sentence on Joseph McMullan (35) of Kavanagh Court in Derry who admitted driving and drug charges.

The court heard that on October 1, 2022 police observed McMullan driving a motorbike along a pavement in the Galliagh area. 

He swerved away from police although the court heard the motorbike was 'a ramshackle' affair not capable of great speeds.

He was charged with dangerous driving as there were children in the area at the time. 

McMullan was detained and drugs were found on him as well as a sum of money. 

Following his arrest the defendant told police 'I am very sorry, I was trying my best I do not want to go back to prison.'

Judge Rafferty said that McMullan had seven previous convictions for drug offences and 'an atrocious driving record' with 85 road traffic convictions.

The judge said he wanted 'the message to be clear anyone dealing drugs in the city is getting a custodial sentence.'

He said that there was 'a significant problem' with class A, B and C drugs in the city and people had the impression that because class C drugs were prescription drugs they were safe. 

He added that drugs like Pregablin were 'far from safe.' 

Judge Rafferty said many of these drugs were manufactured in Asia and sold on the lack market and it was 'Russian roulette' as to what was in them. 

He said he 'noted with grief' that there have been a number of fatalities which he described as 'young lives wasted and futures destroyed'. 

McMullan was sentenced to two years in prison with half to be served in custody and half with formal supervision. 

He was also disqualified from driving for three years.