Drug dealing student avoids prison

Co Tyrone man Keelan McDonald was handed a five-month suspended sentence for having quantities of cocaine and MDMA seized from a house in south Belfast.

His barrister said: “This is a young man who came down from the country and simply got way in over his head.”

McDonald, 22, of Albany Road in Stewartstown, was arrested after police searched student accommodation on Rutland Street in June 2019.

Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard a bag containing drugs and £950 in cash was discovered in his bedroom. Further quantities and scales were found inside the hollowed base of a bed in the property.

The investigation, which widened to McDonald’s home address, uncovered amounts of suspected cocaine, MDMA, cannabis, Ketamine and so-called deal lists.

He admitted charges including possessing and being concerned in the supply of Class A and B drugs, as well as having criminal property.

Defence counsel Michael Boyd insisted McDonald was not a “major player”. “Other people were above him in the chain, they were supplying him,” the barrister said.

District Judge Mark McGarrity was told McDonald became involved to fund his own habit and supply friends.

“Many of them were better off in financial terms, and it allowed him to keep up with them,” Mr Boyd submitted.

He added that McDonald has brought “shame” on his family.

Mr McGarrity described the defendant’s views on his activity as “distorted”. But imposing a five month sentence, he suspended it for two years after reports and references.