A 20-YEAR-OLD man was found to be in possession of cannabis and cocaine when he was being treated at South West Acute Hospital, Fermanagh Magistrates Court has heard.

Andrew Fisher, of Hudson Heights, Irvinestown, pleaded guilty to possessing a Class A controlled drug, namely cocaine, a Class B controlled drug, namely cannabis, and a Class C controlled drug, namely the tranquillizer alprazolam, on December 16, 2017.

Meanwhile, in connection with a second incident, Fisher entered a further guilty plea to using disorderly behaviour in a public place, namely South West Acute Hospital, on September 8, 2017.

The court heard that, on December 16 last year, police attended the South West Acute Hospital following a report that staff had found drugs on a patient.

Two boxes of cannabis resin and a small bag of white powder had been uncovered, the court heard.

Following his arrest, the defendant was conveyed into custody. During a further search, the police also found a quantity of the Class C drug, alprazolam.

When he was interviewed, Fisher admitted that he had been in possession of cannabis and cocaine.

He added that all the items were for his own personal use.

A prosecutor told the court that the cannabis resin was valued at £40, while the cocaine had an estimated street value of £20.

Several months before this incident, on September 8 last year, the defendant had been admitted to the emergency department of the hospital.

On this occasion, at around 10.10pm, he demanded to leave, despite staff trying to convince him to stay and receive treatment.

He tried to force the door open, rendering it “inoperable”, the court heard.

Fisher was “shouting and swearing” as he left the hospital and was loud enough to be heard by other people who were attending the department.

Defending solicitor, Tommy Owens, told the court that his client had a “major addiction problem” that was outlined in a pre-sentence report.

The solicitor said that Fisher had been brought to hospital in September after an overdose.

Mr. Owens said that the defendant had been “very apologetic”, but admitted that his problems were no excuse for his behaviour.

In mitigation, the solicitor said that Fisher had attended two appointments so far with the Community Addictions Team.

A Probation officer told the court that the defendant was attending on a voluntary basis and was only in the “initial stages” of his engagement.

District judge Nigel Broderick observed that, rather than send him to prison now, he would adjourn the case to see how the defendant engaged with the Community Addictions Team.

The judge asked Probation to monitor his progress and prepare an up-to-date report for Fisher’s next appearance in court on Monday, May 21.