Ballycastle man in breach of court order

John Monroe (34), of Carnduff Park, appeared before Coleraine Magistrates Court on Monday, February 6 for breaching a court order.

In March last year he was convicted at the same court for possessing Class C drugs; being concerned in the supply of Class C drugs and two charges of being concerned in the supply of Class B drugs.

In April last year he was given Probation for 18 months requiring him to attend the ‘Thinking Skills’ programme and to do 90 hours Community Service but did not attend appointments.

District Judge Liam McNally said on February 6 he was not impressed with the report on Monroe.

A defence lawyer said her client completed the Community Service element but not the ‘Thinking Skills’ section.

She said the death of a friend had caused the defendant distress.

Judge McNally said he was not satisfied Monroe had made the proper effort to participate in ‘Thinking Skills ‘but he said he would remit the Order and replace it with 90 more hours of Community Service.

The judge told Monroe if he had not done the previous Community Service he would have been sent to jail.