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Heroin addict bailed to church grounds

A heroin addict has been freed on bail to live in a tent on church grounds.

Defence solicitor John Finucane told Belfast Magistrates Court that 38-year-old Joseph Irwin had been living in the grounds of the Crescent Church in the south of the city for the last two months with their knowledge and blessing.

The solicitor added the church were helping Irwin to tackle his drug addiction.

Irwin, whose address was given as the Crescent Church in University Road, had earlier pleaded guilty to possessing class A heroin on 21 July this year.

A prosecuting lawyer told the court police had stopped Irwin close to the church grounds because "his behaviour led police to believe he was under the influence" and that when they searched him, officers uncovered a wrap of heroin worth around £100 in his trouser pocket.

Arrested and interviewed, Irwin admitted he had bought the drug for £90 and that it was for his own personal use.

Applying for bail pending sentencing on Saturday, Mr Finucane submitted "the question for the court is how to best deal with him," arguing that given the "full spectrum" of drugs inlicitly available in jail, "I would respectfully submit that Maghaberry is singularly the worst place that he could go to."

Freeing Irwin on bail and ordering him to come back to court on August 1, District Judge George Conner ordered the drug addict to keep all his probation appointments and to reside in the church grounds.