Man caught drug dealing on City Hall lawn is jailed

A MAN seen on CCTV selling drugs on the front lawn of Belfast City Hall has been jailed for seven months.

Michael James Mark McGann (24) pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis, having the class B drug with intent to supply, and possession of over £400 in criminal property.

Prosecution lawyer Simon Jenkins told Belfast Crown Court that on July 24 last year McGann was spotted on the cameras taking a package and handing it to another male.

Police who arrested McGann, from Glengormley Park, Newtownabbey, found three other packages of cannabis and £410.

Initially he made a “no comment” interview, but in a second denied drug dealing, claiming he was there to buy drugs and the cash was a repaid loan.

Defence barrister Michael Boyd said that despite McGann reverting back to these claims in his pre-sentence report, he did acknowledge his guilt, and that it was “clear as the light of day” that he had been drug dealing.

Mr Boyd said McGann’s involvement in this enterprise was to feed his own addiction and to pay for his own drugs. However, the barrister added he now realises he is “a bit long in the tooth for being involved in this kind of thing”.

Judge Geoffrey Miller QC ordered that McGann serve seven months in custody, followed by a similar period on licence.