Four men from Newry and Poyntzpass accused of cultivating cannabis are to face Crown Court proceedings.
Newry men Aidan Noel Thompson, (39), of Canal Street, Padraig Kearns, (31), of Hollyridge Lane and Mark Francis Thornton, (45), of Springfarm Heights, appeared before Armagh Magistrates’ Court, sitting at Newry Courthouse on Tuesday.
Also appearing was Christopher McParland, (40), of Newry Road, Poyntzpass.
They appeared for the purposes of a preliminary enquiry (PE), the legal process during which a case is referred to the higher court.
Each of the defendants are charged that on February 25, 2021, they allegedly cultivated cannabis plants.
Thompson is further charged that on the same date he was allegedly in possession of cannabis.
No further details surrounding the allegations were conveyed in court at this stage of the case.
Prosecution submitted that based on the papers before the court there was a prima facie case to answer.
Defence counsel made no contrary submissions.
District Judge Anne Marshall, satisfied there was a prima facie case to answer, released the defendants on their own bail of £500 to appear before Newry Crown Court for arraignment on October 16.
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