POLICE HAVE arrested a 54-year-old following the suspected drug death of a man in Enniskillen at the weekend. It is feared the suspect, who is charged with possessing the killer drug Fentanyl, may also have been involved in a second local drug death in recent weeks.
Fentanyl is a potent opiate said to be up to 50 times stronger than heroin and has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in the United States, including rock star Prince.
James Francis Lunney from Galliagh Park, Enniskillen has been remanded in custody after being arrested at his home on Saturday, September 14th. He has been charged with two counts of possessing Fentanyl patches and cannabis, and on count of obstructing police during a search.
Lunney appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday where he was denied bail. A police detective told the court a search was carried out on Lunney’s home under warrant in relation to alleged drug-related offending following the death of a man in Enniskillen on Friday.
The court heard that during a post-mortem on the man, who died in the Coleshill area, a Fentanyl patch was recovered and death was established as drugs poisoning. Police noted Lunney had been in the area and claimed the deceased had been at his house earlier.
The detective said when police arrived to conduct the search, Lunney walked to another room, grabbed something from a table and placed it in his mouth. He was restrained and the item is believed to have been drugs.
Five Fentanyl patches were recovered in total, three 100mg and two 50mg. Quantities of tablets were recovered including 50 suspected diazepam. A substance was also found which police believe may be cannabis resin but could also be heroin. The detective said when asked if the substance was cannabis, Lunney “smirked”.
During the bail hearing the court was told Lunney had been arrested in March for allegedly trying to hand cannabis over to a prisoner in Maghaberry during a visit.
Police objected to bail due to concerns Lunney was involved with Class A drugs “and may have supplied to another person in a second death.”
“There is a risk to the public due o the quantities involved and two suspected deaths in recent weeks.”
Lunney’s defence lawyer accepted there have been “some unfortunate events locally in recent times” and the detective agreed, pointing out investigations were at an early stage.
District Judge Micheal Ranaghan denied the bail application, stating he believed it was “a matter of utmost seriousness” and stating he believed Lunney “represents a risk of further offending. Bail is refused.”
Lunney was remanded in custody to appear again by video-link next month.
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