Northern Ireland

Man (21) bailed to attend funeral of brother who died from heroin overdose

North Belfast man Fergal Deeney died from a suspected drugs overdose on Sunday evening
North Belfast man Fergal Deeney died from a suspected drugs overdose on Sunday evening North Belfast man Fergal Deeney died from a suspected drugs overdose on Sunday evening

A 21-YEAR-OLD man has been granted compassionate bail to attend the funeral of his older brother who died of a suspected heroin overdose.

Fergal Deeney (26) died in the Carrick Hill area of north Belfast on Sunday and is due to be buried tomorrow.

His brother Patrick Deeney, from Antrim Road, is in Hydebank Young Offenders' Centre after being charged with offences including wounding and possession of a knife.

He applied to Belfast Crown Court to be allowed out for one night to attend his brother's burial tomorrow.

Revealing there will be no church service, defence barrister Mark McGarrity asked that Patrick Deeney be granted overnight bail which would enable him attend a service in the Deeney family home and the burial at Roselawn cemetery.

Prosecutor Philip Henry said there would be no objections to releasing Deeney tomorrow but objected to him staying overnight.

He said an alleged injured party who lives opposite the Deeney family would not know of Patrick Deeney's overnight release because "police have not yet been able to contact him".

Kathie Deeney has issued a heartfelt warning to those addicted to drugs following her son's death
Kathie Deeney has issued a heartfelt warning to those addicted to drugs following her son's death Kathie Deeney has issued a heartfelt warning to those addicted to drugs following her son's death

Judge Stephen Fowler QC agreed to release Deeney tomorrow to allow him to attend his brother's funeral and burial but refused to release him overnight.

Urging the PSNI to try make every effort to contact the alleged injured party, the judge agreed to release Deeney from 8am to 4pm tomorrow.

Deeney has also been banned from consuming alcohol "or any other substance" whilst on bail.