Cookstown man attempted to conceal suspected drugs in buttocks

Christopher David McGuigan, 23, of Parkmount is facing charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, criminal damage, threats to kill, two counts of threats to damage property, two counts of common assault and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

A police officer told the court police would be objecting to bail as McGuigan had presented himself to police on January 21 and told officers he was unable to keep his bail conditions. McGuigan was arrested and while in custody became unwell. Police then conducted a strip search where they found suspected Class C drugs concealed in his buttocks. He was arrested for possession with intent to supple. He was then brought to hospital for medical attention where police seized the drugs.

The officer told the court that police believe McGuigan was trying to smuggle the drugs into prison. The officer also told of how on 21 December McGuigan had presented himself to police saying he couldn’t keep his bail and wanted to be brought to Maghaberry.

Police resources on that night were limited and so couldn’t bring him to Maghaberry directly and he told officers he had medical issues, and an F.M.O was called. He stayed that night in the custody suite and bail was revoked. Bail was regranted on 14 January but was revoked again on 23 January. A court heard that McGuigan has breached his bail on 7 different occasions.

Defending Mr McGuigan his barrister told the court that on that occasion his client said he wanted to go back to prison as his father had been refused High Court bail and he wanted to spend Christmas with his father in prison. District Judge John Meehan told the court he had reasonable grounds to suspect McGuigan was trying to smuggle drugs into prison and refused him bail.