An Omagh woman who was found with a Boots bag containing methadone was ordered to pay a fine of £250.
Sentencing the 51-year-old, the district judge commented: “I am surprised there was not more investigation by the police into how someone could be in possession of this.”
Joanne Bernadette Phelan, of Edinburgh Park, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of Class A at Armagh Magistrates’, sitting at Newry, on Tuesday.
The facts of the case were not opened, but the particulars outline that on February 18, of this year, the defendant was in possession of methadone.
Defence solicitor Michael Fahy stated that his client had been prescribed the substance for some 20 years but that on this occasion the drugs located in a Boots bag were not hers.
District Judge Bernie Kelly commented: “Why did it ever leave the pharmacy…with methadone you are made to drink it in the pharmacy, you do not leave with it, and for good reason.
“I am surprised there was not more investigation by the police into how someone could be in possession of this.”
Phelan was ordered to pay a fine of £160, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 16 weeks.
