Downpatrick drug dealer is sent to jail for eight months

Downpatrick drug dealer is sent to jail for eight months

14 November 2012

A DOWNPATRICK drug dealer has been jailed for eight months.

Michael O’Connor (42), who must also spend 16 months on licence when released from prison, pleaded guilty to 13 drugs related charges at Downpatrick Crown Court on Friday.

The charges included possessing cocaine with intent to supply, possessing amphetamine with intent to supply, possessing temazepam and diazepam with intent to supply and possessing £345 from the sale of drugs.

The items were found following searches of his property on June 16 and September 9 last year.

The court heard that the drugs, which ranged in classification from Class A to Class C, had a total estimated street value of £4,500.

Defence barrister Paul McAlinden said O’Connor, formerly of Struell Close and now of no fixed abode, “needs help”.

He said his drug dealing was for friends and acquaintances and used to fund his own habit.

“He has had a negative peer influence and has had problems since he was in school,” the barrister said. “This is a man who has been blighted by drug misuse and has been from a young age. This is the main reason he gets into trouble.”

Despite pleas for a “last chance”, Judge David Smyth QC said a “fairly severe sentence” was required.

“There is a very relative record,” he said, imposing a two year sentence, 16 months of which is to be spent on licence.

Judge Smyth said attending drugs counselling was part of the condition of O’Connor remaining on licence.