Fermanagh solicitor raises concerns over number of PSNI stop and searches in Enniskillen

Representing one such individual at Fermanagh Magistrates Court on Monday morning, Dara Montague, of Irvinestown firm Thomas T Montague, said she would be raising the matter with the Department of Justice once the new minister was appointed.

Her client, 24-year-old Brendan Finnegan, of Kilmacormick Drive, Enniskillen, pleaded guilty to possessing a Class B controlled drug, namely cannabis, on March 17 this year.

The court heard that, at 12.40am, the defendant was stopped by police as he walked along Hillview Road in Enniskillen.

He appeared “nervous and anxious” and used stuttering speech when he was spoken to by the officers.

Finnegan initially told the police that he was out to go and get some batteries before he admitted:

“I’ll be honest with you. I have some weed.”

Handing over a quantity of herbal cannabis, the defendant claimed that he had paid £20 for it.

Telling the court that her client was “just walking home” on St. Patrick’s Day when he was stopped by police, the solicitor added:

“I’m conscious that this is happening more and more in the area.”

When district judge Nigel Broderick observed that the defendant’s “nervousness” had given rise to police concerns that he might have been doing something, Ms Montague said that she had known Finnegan since he was a young man and he had a nervous disposition.

It was at this point that the solicitor said she would be raising the matter with the Department of Justice.

In mitigation, she urged the judge to take into account her client’s guilty plea and told the court he should be credited for his honesty.

District judge Mr Broderick observed that the defendant was “no stranger to the court”.

However, Mr Broderick added that Finnegan had no previous convictions for drugs offences, just a caution.

In concluding, the judge imposed a £200 fine and ordered him to pay a £15 offender levy.

The defendant was given 20 weeks to pay his fine.