A Portadown man has been jailed for four months after a police search at a property led to a find of drugs – and a woman who had a restraining order against him.
Hearing the case of Lawrence Francis McVeigh, of Woodside Gardens, Craigavon Magistrates’ Court was told that the relationship was consensual despite the fact she had a five year restraining order against him.
Twenty-seven-year-old McVeigh appeared via videolink from Maghaberry charged with possessing Class B drugs, possessing Class C drugs, possessing Class A drugs and the breach of a restraining order.
The court heard that on January 2, 2025, police conducted a search at an address in Lurgan. There were signs of life from the property but nobody answered the door.
Police forced entry to the property, during which time McVeigh – and the applicant of the restraining order – fled from the scene through the back door.
Both were located and returned to the address.
Located in the address was cocaine, cannabis and pregabalin tablets, which McVeigh stated were for his personal use.
The other party was also arrested, and stated during interview that she was in a relationship with McVeigh despite the active restraining order.
On hearing the facts, District Judge Michael Ranaghan confirmed with the prosecution that the relationship between the two parties was consensual.
Damien Halleron BL, defending, said that there was “no suggestion of domestic violence”, as this was a “planned drug search” which McVeigh admitted to.
He added that the second party had been trying to have the restraining order – which was in place for five years – discharged, and that both parties desired to continue the relationship.
Judge Ranaghan, on sentencing, described the breach of a restraining order as a “very serious matter”, but conceded the offences were not aggravated by domestic abuse.
He also noted that McVeigh had previously been sentenced for restraining order breaches in October 2023 and December 2023.
Judge Ranaghan imposed a total sentence of four months in custody, and ordered McVeigh to pay the £25 offender levy.
