Northern Ireland

Former Tyrone Gaelic footballer Peter Loughran has been refused bail after appearing in court on drugs charges

Peter Loughran in action for Errigal Ciaran
Peter Loughran in action for Errigal Ciaran Peter Loughran in action for Errigal Ciaran

A FORMER Tyrone Gaelic footballer, accused of being a "high level drug dealer" has been refused bail after appearing in court.

All Ireland winner Peter Loughran (45) made the unsuccessful application at Belfast's High Court yesterday, where a Crown barrister alleged he was involved in the consignment and movement of "multiple kilos" of drugs.

The father-of-four, from Tamnamore Road in Dungannon, has been charged with eight drugs offences on dates between March and June this year.

The charges include supplying Class A and B drugs, and entering into an arrangement to acquire criminal property.

A barrister for Loughran, who was on the bench when Tyrone lifted their first All-Ireland senior football championship in 2003, told the court "he strenuously denies the offences."

He also won several county titles and an Ulster championship with club side Errigal Ciaran.

Crown barrister Robin Steer told Mr Justice McAlinden that bail was opposed due to concerns Loughran may interfere with the investigation, and a risk that he may abscond.

Mr Steer said the police investigation centred on data obtained from an encrypted mobile phone, which included messages and images associated with a user calling himself 'Billy Boots.'

Saying the prosecution attributed this username to Loughran, Mr Steer said the messages and images showed his role was "at the highest level" concerning large consignments of drugs.

The images accessed by police included pictures of boxes being shipped into lorries, images of shipping documents, images of white powder, and messages about a boat from France 'picking up 30 blocks' and about 'the Class A arriving in Ireland.'

Mr Steer said there were other messages that suggested Loughran had a "leading role over others" regarding drugs and collecting cash.

The prosecutor revealed that when Loughran's home was searched on June 13, police located a bag which contained handwritten dealers lists and noted about deliveries to Dublin.

Turning to objections to bail, Mr Steer expressed concerns Loughran may flee. He said it was noted that earlier this year, Loughran spent six weeks in Dubai, and that as part of the current police investigation it emerged that large sums of money were being transferred to an account on Dubai.

Defence barrister Michael Chambers said his client was a family man with no criminal record who one who "strenuously denies the offences."

Questioning the lawfulness of the police investigation, Mr Chambers said the defence has written "a very lengthy letter" to the prosecution asking for more details about the circumstances in which the encrypted data was obtained.

Pointing out it was "essential" for the prosecution to prove Loughran's link to the phone, Mr Chambers said other people charged in connection with the investigation into the encrypted phones have been released on bail.

After listening to submissions from both the Crown and defence, Mr Justice McAlinden said there was evidence of "significant involvement at the highest level of very serious drug dealing and drug importation into this country.

Expressing concerns of a significant risk of flight, Mr Justice McAlinden dismissed the application.