Northern Ireland

Boyfriend of overdose victim Emma Doogan 'admitted giving her drugs'

Emma Doogan was found dead in her flat in Omagh on Saturday
Emma Doogan was found dead in her flat in Omagh on Saturday Emma Doogan was found dead in her flat in Omagh on Saturday

THE boyfriend of a 19-year-old woman from Co Tyrone who died from a suspected overdose admitted that he supplied her with drugs, a court has heard.

Matthew Taylor (24) appeared in court in Enniskillen yesterday facing drugs charges after Emma Doogan was found dead in her flat in Omagh at the weekend.

Refusing bail, a judge said the teenage girl's death was a "chilling example" of the danger of illicit drugs.

Taylor, of Meelmore Drive in Omagh, faces a total of 10 charges relating to the possession and supply of controlled drugs, namely ecstasy, cannabis and diazepam.

The defendant also faces a charge in connection with selling or supplying the prescription-only drug Lyrica.

A PSNI detective constable said Ms Doogan and the defendant had an "on-off" relationship for the past year.

Her body was found by her family on Saturday.

The court heard that an eyewitness told police Ms Doogan had attended a house party last week, late on Thursday night and in the early hours of Friday.

The witness alleged that Taylor had arrived "with different bags of drugs" and supplied a number of ecstasy tablets to her.

Police spoke to the defendant as a result of what the witness had said.

Taylor allegedly told officers that he had seen the woman on Friday morning and admitted that he supplied Class 'C' drugs to her, but would not say where he got them.

Following his arrest police uncovered ecstasy and cannabis, which he claimed were for his own personal use.

The detective constable told the court she believed she could connect Taylor with the charges.

During cross-examination, the officer confirmed that she was not aware of the port-mortem results, adding that it was scheduled to take place later that day.

Taylor appeared visibly upset while attending the hearing at Fermanagh Magistrates Court.

Solicitor Colin O'Kane, defending, said his client was "very upset" and wished to convey his sympathies to the family of the deceased.

Applying for bail, Mr O'Kane said his client had assisted police at each stage of their enquiries, and urged the judge to release him to a suitable address, subject to stringent conditions.

The solicitor told the court his client accepted that he supplied drugs to the deceased, but added that there was nothing to suggest Taylor was involved in the wholesale dealing of drugs to the wider community.

District judge Nigel Broderick said that this was clearly a tragic case and a "chilling example" of the dangers of the illicit use of drugs.

He said the defendant, who was "sadly known" to the deceased, had provided her with drugs that had led to her "untimely and sudden demise".

Refusing bail, the judge expressed his fear that if released the defendant would be unable to deal with his drug addiction and attempt to re-involve himself in that behaviour.

Mr Broderick remanded him in custody to appear before Omagh Magistrates Court today for a possible compassionate bail application to attend Ms Doogan's funeral.

As Taylor was led away from Enniskillen courthouse he lashed out at the media, knocking a camera from a journalist's hands.