Man found slumped' at a train station charged with possessing of Pregablin

A man who was shot and suffered serious injuries seven years ago and is on heavy painkillers was found 'slumped' at a train station in Antrim, Derry Magistrate's Court heard today.

Darren Canning (41) of Rinmore Drive in Derry appeared charged with possessing Pregablin on January 27 and also with stealing a bank card on January 16.

The court heard that on January 27 police were contacted by Translink in Antrim. 

They attended and found two men, one of them Canning, slumped and 'barely conscious.'

Both men 'struggled to answer questions' and were arrested.

Canning said the Pregablin found on him was a prescription drug.

He denied the illegal possession. 

A police officer said that they were concerned about drug intake. 

Canning had 107 previous convictions with 29 of them being drug related. 

The court also heard that on January 16 the defendant's ex partner claimed that a bank card and a gas card had been taken from her property.

The bank card was cancelled and there had been no transactions on it. 

Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that his client was on 'a cocktail of drugs' partially because of his injuries after the shooting seven years ago.

He asked for one opportunity for Canning. 

District Judge Barney McElholm has said that he was not interested in discussions about if the drugs were prescribed or not. 

He said if Canning was found slumped on a bench his drug intake was all wrong. 

Canning was granted bail to appear again on February 22.