A District Court judge said there needs to be progress in the case of a man caught with a quantity of drugs after turning away from a checkpoint in Donegal.
Judge Emile Daly has urged progress in the case of Dean Beattie, who appeared via video link at Letterkenny District Court.
Beattie has been in custody since his arrest on April 18 and has been charged with a series of offences relating to an incident at Mannerstown Crossroads, Bunnamayne, Bridgend.
The 33-year-old, of Glenvale Road in Derry, was arrested after being pursued by Gardai when he turned away from a checkpoint in the Bridgend area.
A quantity of illegal drugs and cash were seized in the operation and Beattie was also charged with offences including dangerous driving and drug-driving.
Beattie was charged that he had unlawfully in his possession a controlled drug, namely cannabis, contrary to section 27 (1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, as substituted by section 6 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1984.
Beattie was also charged with dangerous driving, contrary to section 53 (1) of the Road Traffic Act 1961, as substituted by section 4 of the Road Traffic (No.2) Act, 2011.
The defendant was also charged with driving while under the influence of an intoxicant, a charge contrary to section 4 (1) and (5) of the Road Traffic Act 2010.
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Beattie was also charged with driving without insurance and driving without a license.
When the matter came before Letterkenny District Court, Beattie’s solicitor, Mr Patsy Gallagher, said there needed to be “some urgency” as his client has been in custody for some time now.
Sergeant Maurice Doyle said that there are still reports outstanding, including from Forensic Science Ireland, in the case. Sergeant Doyle said the State was seeking for a further remand.
Address the court, Beattie asked if the matter could be dealt with and added: “I’m pleading guilty”.
Mr Gallagher asked for the case to be marked peremptory against the State and added that his client was anxious to deal with the matter.
Sergeant Doyle said that FSI have been informed that Beattie is in custody and said that this “is a priority case with FSI”.
Judge Daly said these were serious matters and adjourned the case until July 6.
Judge Daly said: “I expect progress. I will not mark it peremptory now but there really needs to be progress.”