A 30-YEAR-OLD man previously convicted of over 100 offences has been given a £200 fine for his “first foray” into the possession of illegal drugs.

Patrick James John McDonagh, of Sally’s Wood, Irvinestown, was charged with possessing a Class B controlled drug, namely cannabis, on February 14, 2017. He entered a guilty plea at Fermanagh Magistrates Court on Monday.

The court heard that, at 9pm on February 14, a police mobile patrol on Main Street, Irvinestown was flagged down by a passing motorist regarding two males who were causing a “nuisance”.

McDonagh was one of the males in question. Upon approaching the two men, officers detected a strong smell of cannabis.

After informing them that they would be searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act, the defendant became “agitated” and repeatedly attempted to place his hand down his trousers.

During the search, McDonagh closed his fist and refused to open it. When he moved away, the police observed three small, clear bags on the ground, each filled with a green substance.

The defendant admitted that the bags contained cannabis, for his own personal use. He said they had cost him £60.

Defending counsel, Ciaran Roddy, told the court that his client had recently spent 10 months in custody, and was released in October last year.

The barrister said that, since then, McDonagh had stayed out of trouble and it had “caused him some frustration” that he was detected by police on this occasion, leading him to react in the way he did.

He said McDonagh suffered from anxiety and depression and had bought an amount of cannabis for his own personal use.

And he admitted that McDonagh had been under the influence of drink but had been “quite frank” about his addiction to alcohol.

Describing the defendant as being in a “Catch 22” situation, Mr. Roddy said his offending occurred when he was drunk but that he found it “very difficult” to leave his home without alcohol.

He said his client was now seeking help for his addiction and was also in a stable relationship.

Deputy district judge, Liam McStay, observed that the defendant had committed a total of 108 offences, but never before had a drugs conviction.

He described this “first foray” into the possession of illegal drugs as an “unwelcome development”.

Giving credit for the defendant’s guilty plea and his approach to the court, Mr. McStay imposed a £200 fine and a £15 offender levy.