Man who thought IRA were outside flat jailed for possession of drugs and disorderly behaviour

A man has been jailed at Derry Magistrates Court charged with possession of drugs and disorderly behaviour after claiming he thought the police outside his flat were the IRA.

Adam Patrick Toner (36) of Great James Street in Derry admitted on October 11 last year, disorderly behaviour after police were called to the scene of a man throwing various items from the window of a flat in Great James Street. 

When police arrived, Toner threw a glass bottle at a police car before brandishing a large knife out the window. 

Toner was eventually taken by police to hospital where he spat at a nurse and made threats towards police officers.

When interviewed the following day, he claimed to have no recollection of the events but said that the IRA were out to get him.

Later, on March 12 this year, Toner was again arrested when police entered his flat and found pregabalin and cannabis. 

When police arrived, Toner was said to be lethargic and, when he was later placed in a police cell, made several attempts to damage furniture and other fittings in the cell, eventually being deemed unfit to be interviewed.

Defence solicitor Chris Logue told the court that all of this 'started with disorderly behaviour', saying that Toner had been attending treatment at Woodleigh House for his addiction issues and had been responding well.

He added that Toner was now sober and had 'pleaded immediately' to the charges.

He was sentenced to six months in custody.